Another Project Finished Letters from Nora S

Google Images

Our blog has made it onto Google Images!!!!!!!! I searched Rest and Be thankful and after a few pages I saw a picture of the Crone's Tree of Hope with our blog below it! So exciting! The Maiden

Rest and be Thankful

While not the best picture, a post none the less.

My Internet is not cooperating, so this was taken with my picture phone (I recently switched to Metro PCS and can now e-mail pictures to myself!). While blogging at work is probably frowned upon, I am doing it anyway! Completed on Thanksgiving day, I now have the third addition to my Holiday collection. The Maiden

WIP Update...and Chloe

Chloe's new found home at the top of the Christmas tree.

Nora Corbett's Letter "S"- not to far off from being finished.

No new progress on "Venetian"

Jimmy's Sgt. Simpson Bear still in the beginning stages.

OK Ladies, here is the deal. I want everyone to dedicate themselves to finishing one project (MAYBE? PLEASE?) so that our lonely blog can see some work that is being done, or in the process of being finished. I miss our stuff being uploaded (I have nothing to say because this again has been the Holiday of the great quilt making year)...but, I do miss our little cross stitches. I put in two for framing (I must say I am very excited about that). They will be done in January. I am hoping the maiden will post her "Thankful" done...it is amazing. Anyway, let us know when we will resume the round robin so I can get some other things done before my next step to complete shows up. Thanks. I love and miss you guys. The Crone

Eros and Psyche

Another HAED Start, and yes I am out of my mind. This is my first experiment in background removal. The only part I will be stitching is the two central figures. I began the piece on 25ct Lugana, a sparkle-gold, and after a few days I said "I bet this would look great on platinum (a coveted piece of 32ct Lugana that I have been saving for just the right project). After the floss toss I knew it was all over and I began the project again. I am a little nervous about the difficulty of 32ct, but this piece of fabric was made for Eros and Psyche and the idea of experimenting with different variables to effect the outcome of the project appeals to me.

Like all my projects this one found me, the night before it was released in fact. The Maiden

Glimmer

I have added another HAED to my collection, Glimmer by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law! When I saw this pattern I knew it would go perfectly with my favorite painting by Jada Fire that currently resides in my guest room. This piece is a modest 15 pages (combined it is more like 10 pages) and 78,400 stitches.

Despite my actual postings I am making progress with my current WIPS. I am half way done with the next page on Pretty so I hope to post in a few weeks. The Maiden

HAED SALE!!!

This pattern needed to be added to my collection of Heaven and Earth Designs (it was screaming at me), so how could I resist the sale? This is my favorite Josephine Wall, I like her even more than Psyche's Dream.

So many patterns so little time! The maiden

Round Robin Extention

I need to formally request a 30 day extention on the Round Robin for this month. I am in an intermediate instructor development class, and have to write a lesson plan and task analysis. Plus we are in the process of rewriting the internal policies and procedures at work (fun stuff-BLAH) and with working a random swing shift/graveyard schedule, to tell you the truth when I am home, it is all I can do to drag myself out of bed, much less get in a few stitches. I hope this doesn't put a huge glitch in the system, but I will have it done by January 15th.
Thank you. Love You. Miss You
~Mother

The Great Tent Stitch Debate

Well my Internet is not cooperating, so I will have to share this posting I have been siting on for weeks without visual aids...

I decided that due to the multitude of HAED designs I found myself purchasing, and having only one life time to complete them, that I would try tent stitching (continental form). This is essentially a half cross stitch. I have seen other HAED stitchers use this technique and it looks nice and allows projects to be completed in half the time! The experimentation began, and I chose moontide as the test subject.

Experiment 1: 32ct lugana, 1 strand DMC, 1 over 1
This did not give me ample coverage and I did not like all the white fabric that showed through. Also, I am slower on 32ct than 25ct.

Experiment 2: 25ct lugana, 2 strands DMC, 1 over 1
Once again I was not happy with the coverage, although my speed was AMAZING!

I thought I had abandoned Tent stitching all together and restarted Moontide for a 3rd time on 25ct full crosses, but today I found a posting with the instructions on how these stitchers are getting the look I could not. Let experiment 3 begin!

Experiment 3: 32ct lugana, 2 strands DMC, 1 over 1
I think this will solve the coverage issues, but I am concerned about the texture and color as well as speed.

I have almost completed the first page of Moontide, full crosses, so I have a good basis for comparison. The Maiden

Glendon Place Outrageous Owls

I have to say I am very excited to be posting the first completed Round Robin for the Maiden. I will leave plenty of space for her to comment (since we said the owner of the Round Robin will be doing the posting.) I just happened to have this at my house, so I figured we would all want to see it done-done-done! Very exciting

Mail Call

Mother the Round Robbin is on it's way to you! I have not had time/motivation to post lately, but when I come back from vacation I should have some progress to show. The only decision now is which project do I take? Rest & Thankful is so close it is not worth packing and the HAED seems rather combersome to travel with, so now I must figure out what my next project of focus will be to alternate with the HEAD. With 24 going I can hardly make a mistake! I am leaning towards Venetian Opulance or Mothers Arms. Lilac is closest to being completed and then there is Sabrina (I am visiting it's future owner!) I will post as soon as I decided (now I am excited!). The maiden

Postings with Labels

I've been working on our blog for about an hour trying to find all the same projects and label them. I realized that I can't name all of the mermaids because our mermaid folder has only about half the ones we have presently. Also, I stopped when I named the Mirabilia "The Lovers" and then thought it probably was the kiss. I need to go to Mirabilia and see (how sad..pretty sure but not 100 percent). Also, there are two new Mirabilia patterns out if you guys have missed those. The Crone

Potted Fancy WIP

I finished about 7 leaves this morning at 1:30 AM and then did a few of the numbers. I really REALLY hate the pattern write up, but really love the picture. I think I am going to have to do some more guess work on the potted fancy sign (looks like it is black but might actually be olive green-who knows). I am hoping to get this one done and then start some type of companion piece that I have in my waiting land.

Last Posted September 5th...really cool, you can look up our materials by name and it will show you all the postings! Just learned this when trying to add the date as to the last time I posted this..check it out, very cool. We definitely want to label our projects by their names so we can watch the progress. Neat feature I never saw before.

Rest and Be Thankful update

The house has become a completed Home! I cannot find the card for the fabric used, my only guess is that I bought what the artist, Vicki Hastings for the Cricket Collection, suggested: 30ct Old Mill Java overdyed linen (oddly I did not chose a 32ct and the large holes are a little bothersome). This piece uses Anchor and Silk'n Colors (the Anchor lays much nicer than the silk). My goal is to have this piece done by Thanksgiving, and now I feel I am well on my way! The Maiden

Rest and be thankful

I have the beginning of a house, Yeah! I haven't worked on this since starting my HAED, but I thought I would post my progress and maybe throw a few stitches in tonight. Halloween was a bust (I was sick and my best friend moved this year), so I thought I better get my butt in gear if I am going to get into the Holiday spirit! The Maiden

Round Robin 3

So being sick has only one advantage... I finished my Round Robbin! The Crone was not the only one to notice the difference in stitch tension, I hope my section does not look too different! With my sore throat gone I guess it is back to work, ho hum.

Houses Round 3

This was really interesting and fun to do. I did find out that the Maiden's stitches are totally different in texture and tension so it was really hard to match into the area in which she worked..hers are poofy! The last two round robins didn't do that because the Owl's stand alone, and the Mermaid was done as the round after the Mother (which apparently stitches pretty much on the same tension as I do)..very interesting. I do love this piece. Unfortunately the colors are so much more vivid (you will see), and there is no guide for any backstitching on the original pattern. I went ahead and used the "Bramble Bush" for the backstitching. I also followed the lines of the stitches..looks kind of strange on the cats butt. We can redo this if we think we should. I really REALLY like this piece.

Pretty

I finished my first full page of the Heaven and Earth Design "Pretty" by Nene Thomas! Stitched on 25ct Lugana one strand DMC over one. There are 9 pages to the first row, I have completed page 8 and 9 (the last page being only 600 stitches), and even though it is all sky I was not as bored with the background as I thought I would be. The purples and pinks not evident in the design were a nice surprise (although a little unsettling at first, I kept thinking I was using the wrong color). The Maiden

Watery Mood

How can I resist a Halloween Sale? I found this HAED design by Rachel Anderson and inspired by all the rain I bought it this morning! I have been noticing that different artists stitch up better than others, and Anderson looks amazing. I have more Mermaids than I know what to do with, but who cares?

I have been reading about "Tent Stitching" and how it makes you twice as fast without sacrificing quality of image. Mother, Crone do you know what it is? I though I could try it on a piece I liked, but was not obsessed with (like this mermaid). She is roughly 25 pages, and the directions recommend tent stitching, must be fate! The Maiden

New obsession of the week

I am starting the garden series with summer as my first attempt. I am using a carnival 28 count which is in pinks and some purples from "Picture this plus". The first leaves you can not see on the fabric so I am kind of freaking out about that. Actually I decided to start the picture from the bottom because I thought I might miscount going from the top line to start of the tree. Who knows if that will make it any easier. Also, this makes me appreciate your Mirabilia (Mother) with the outline first, I think I have counted the 180 across the bottom about 6 times now. Love to you guys.

Round Robin Dos

2 new Owls join the pack! Is it me, or does the green one look a little afraid of the red one who is poking him in the eye? He,he. I have a total of 7 days into this rotation, and I must say it took longer than expected (I am the slowest backstitcher ever, but man what a difference it made!) I baked chocolate chip cookies after the last stitch was in to celebrate.

I also have a new self imposed bedtime, 10:00pm, to try to stave off the effects of sleep deprivation and I am not amused to what this is doing to my stitching! Oh well, in a few days I will start the mermaid piece and I am looking forward to all those silks! The Owls are on their way to you Mother! The Maiden

Just a note...

After looking over our blog here at 3:36 AM, I think I am missing Hawk Run Hallow. Will that end up in the rotation any time soon? My Potted Fancy has had a few stitches thrown in it in the last week (maybe 25)...but not enough. It can't compare to the 800 being done on the HAED of the Maiden, but boy is it stunning already! Miss you guys, the Crone.

Round Robin Part Deux

I finished this tonight. I too was worried that I would run out of time, but I got on a roll and knocked it out. My husband is complaining that I keep putting his projects on the back burner- I believe it is time I taught him how to cross stitch. I can't wait to see you on the 7th (wish Joy could be here too- I really want to see the HAED in progress). Miss and Love you! ~mother

Round Robin Round 2 Complete...

I am most happy to report that my second round robin piece is now complete. I have a few places where I went from a single thread to a double to see h0w much you would be able to tell the difference. I think we will have to stick with one thread all around the margins, and when we get to the mermaid we can make her two strands. I am very excited about this piece...one, because I get to keep it, and two, because the stitching goes pretty fast..and three (this is when you can hear Jason Stackhouse speaking-you might get that might not.) Anyway and three because after going back to school I have been worried if I could keep up my end of the bargain on my parts to get done..so far so good. I love you guys, The Crone

HAED

After reading your post about Heaven and Earth Designs and spending countless hours perusing the website...I found myself coming back to the "Woodpecker Tapestry" by William Morris over and over again. It only has a 43 page pattern (don't tell Jimmy that I used up all of the new black ink cartridge he just bought). I agree this is a lifetime project and will probably take that long to get done. It is stitched on 25count, one over one, with a finished size of 14x24 1/2. And apparently the fabric doesn't matter because there is none to be seen. I am all for the SAL..but are you willing to wait 20 years for completion? I figure I retire in 18 and it'll take a good year of doing nothing but stithing to finish.

HAED

Heaven and Earth Designs is having a sale! I could not resist buying my favorite pattern "Pretty" by Nene Thomas. This pattern has always been my number one choice (I know it's crazy, but I looked at 5,000!), but after receiving a 99 page pattern from the same artist I started looking for an alternate. To my immense surprise this pattern was only 45 pages (if you condense all the end and half pages it is roughly 36 pages). All 0f the alternates were around 30 pages, so what is another 6 pages? I made a deal with myself, I could buy the DMC and fabric if I stopped buying HEAD patterns. So I giddily went off to Michael's and after 20 minutes at the check out spent an astounding $50.00 on DMC! There are 88 colors and 10 skeins of black! Now all I need is 25ct fabric and the endurance for all that one over one! This is the project of a lifetime and hopefully I will finish it during this one! I would love to do a SAL, Mother are you interested? The Maiden

Psyche's Dream

Here is one of the Heaven and Earth Designs I am considering, I just downloaded the chart from Josephine Wall. I was quite discourage by the last chart I purchased (99 pages all one over one), but to my delight this protect is a little over 13 pages (much easier to wrap my head around)! She has so many interesting patterns I may just throw a few more into the mix before I make my final decision....

Round Robin.......yummmmmm.

Here is my picture. Please note that all I have managed to accomplish is adding to the leaf (and the only reason that is done is because I worked a graveyard shift and was taking a break from all of the other things I should have been doing). I miss you and love you.

So this is my schedule for September, and October isn't looking too much better. Reagan has a test with a vision specialist this afternoon and the testing will take about an hour....so I will be bringing my Round Robin along. I am hoping to get some stitches in.

I'm Alive.

I am alive, just barely. I have been so busy lately my head is spinning. With an ever changing schedule and five kiddos to get off to school everyday....it has been hard to get on the computer for 5 seconds, much less stitch anything. I should post a picture of my September schedule, and October isn't looking any better...I have managed to get a few stitches in on my edition of the round robin....good thing I have until October 15th. I love and miss you guys!

Hawk Run Hallow August Box

Box one is complete! I decided to get a head start on the September box as well, it is the most intesive box of 12, and hay I have a little boat! The first box went really quickly, about a week, which is good because I haven't worked on this much since. 32ct Spice linen.

25 and counting...

Rest and be thankful. I am in a Thanksgiving mood, I hope to get it done this year. I started this in Carson last year and pulled it out a few days ago.

Night Creatures. I am missing the threads and the pattern, must not be meant to stitch it... Odd.

Mother's Arms by Mirabilia. I began in August and had an amazing week before I got distracted by the Round Robin.

Here is the last update of Atlantis, she is close so I won't post again until she is done. I am trying to find my passion for this again, but the searing headaches the fabric gives me is quite the deterrent.

The color is much better in person.

Let The Round Robin Commence...

Outrageous Owls by Glendon Place...32 count linen "Crystal Meditation". This is the Round Robin #1 Choice of the Maiden-completed by the Crone 9/15/10...this is one of three rotations for the owls. This will be the first of the Round Robin's to be complete!

The Crone's Choice for Round Robin #1. A Haunting Mermaid by Carriage House Samplings. The count is 32 done on OD Linen Vintage Sand Dune. Round 1 completed by the Mother 9/15/10. This the first piece of the sampler (one of six). All threads are Splendor Silks.

Potted Fancy still WIP

Coming along...back at work, so inconvenient for my stitching..ha ha. I finally printed a google image so I could match colors, the pattern is really impossible to read so I am winging it (no pun intended). Miss you guys. We need to post our Round Robin #1, since we changed the rules.

Morbid Fun

Blogaversary!!!!

One year ago the Maiden Mother and Crone began this blog to connect what distance had separated. I cannot tell you what it has meant to me to share all that has been stitched and said.

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious, it is the true source of art, science, and friendship."- Albert Einstein


~Maiden

Potted Fancy WIP

The maiden thought I should post my WIP for Potted Fancy or it would just be done before we saw it (yeah right..ha ha). The fabric is fabulous, it is an OD linen called Meadow Mist on 32 count. The original is actually done on 18 count-that might have been fun had I realized that before. Anyway, I may or may not be able to match the flowers because it is impossible to tell what the symbols are..very disappointing. But, not to be discouraged, I am still working bit by bit and happy to be doing so. Miss you guys.

Maiden's WIP list

1. Common Ground Sampler
2. Mermaids of the Deep Blue
3. Mermaid of Atlantis
4. Enchanted Mermaid
5. Merry X-Mas (one over one)
6. A Sheltering Tree
7. Tall Seasons
8. Venetian Opulence
9. Spring Queen
10. Hope
11. The Dreamer
12. Rest and be Thankful
13. Lilac
14. The Kiss
15. Night Creatures
16. Nice Clean Dirt 2x (one over one)
17. Sleepy Hallow
18. Mother's Arms
19. Sabrina
20. Shores of Hawk Run Hallow

Round Robbin Entries
21. 4 Corner Houses
22. Outrageous Owls
23. A Haunting Mermaid


My Goals (revised) for the remainder of 2010 will be to keep up with the Round Robbin, finish both of the Nice Clean Dirt's and Mermaid of Atlantis, complete a square of HRH every month, make some progress on Sabrina, and NO MORE STARTS!!! The Maiden

Round Robin Revision

Can we maybe consider revamping the round robin rules to allow posts before a project is completed...I think it will help me with my motivation.
I am having a hard time getting through my first square of the mermaid.
~Mother

Insanity

I have been toying with the idea of stitching a project for one of my closest friends Kristen, but I couldn't find the right one. I finally gave up and asked Kristen to chose one the next time she was in Las Vegas, but she was so excited she called me several hours later and asked if I would stitch Sabrina by Mirabilia!

I purchased this project last December for The Mother's Christmas gift and could not resist buying one for myself, oddly it is the only one I had kitted and never started (must have been meant for Kristen).

The thought of yet another large project is a little scary, but I would love to see her stitched so I started her 3 days ago. I will post as soon as I make some decent progress. The Maiden

Potted Fancy

Started this one..this is by far the worse pattern I have ever seen. The symbols must have been hand drawn..they are all smudged and are microdot small. I am using my jewelers cheaters and still can't tell which symbol is which..it is truly a guessing game. The other sad part is the inaccurate color pattern...the bird looks almost turquoise on the pattern (which is what I wanted) and it is completely gray. I switched to another blue but that may not get it done either. Oh well-you might see this one you might not.

The Crone (yes I sound Cranky-but I was so looking forward to this new project!)

SAL

While perusing other Blogs I kept coming across the term "SAL." Amused by my many interpretations of this acronym I decided to look it up:

The general purpose of a Stitch-ALong (SAL) is to bring stitchers together for one common goal ... to keep each other motivated so we can all have some completed projects by the end of the year.

This led to another term I liked! "UFO"

You choose an UnFinished Object (UFO) you have that you want to try to get done.

Information gleaned from the Pattern Patch http://www.patternspatch.com/public/404.cfm
Rules etc to be found there.

~Mother: Venetian Opulence has unknowingly been a SAL for us this year, once the RR is complete we should start again.... Maiden

Wish List

So I have been working away stitching my heart out but I have no posts yet (probably the only disadvatage to a round robin).
Progress is being made on my to do list: I have finished a square of HRH and started another, and I completed my turn on the RR for the next month (yeah!).
To keep my self occupied I have been spending time on 123 stitch...
This has resulted in many wish lists, all of which I continue to misplace. I figured the safest place for my list is the blog, at least then I can look it up when I am at the cross stitch store!

Pumpkin Stew (Shepards Bush) 7949

Home Sweet Home (Goode Huswife) 09-1372

The Prairie Garden (Drawn Thread) DR125

Spooky House (Xs and Ohs) 09-2192

Alphabet letters by Sweetheart Tree ("o" "b" and "j")

I have been so out of control lately these will need to wait until next month! Maiden

Railroading

Railroading is a term used by stitchers to describe a specific stitching technique. When using this techniques, the floss is smoothed down with a laying tool or tapestry needles and floss strands lay side-by-side - like the rails of a railroad track. The twist of the floss in the stitch is evident if the strands are not flat against the fabric. The below link contains a visual tutorial. Maiden

http://crossstitch.about.com/od/learnhowtocrossstitch/ss/railroadingtech.htm

Meme

I found the below survey circulating on cross stitch blogger sites and thought it would be fun! I will post it blank and write my answers in the comments so the Crone and Mother can add there's too!

1. How do you hold your fabric?

2. Floss licker?

3. How do you thread your needle?

4. What needle do you like best?

5. Are you a needle loser?

6. What fabric do you prefer to stitch on?

7. Bobbins or floss bags?

8. Are you a scissors collector?

9. Do you do your own framing, and if so, do you lace or pin?

10. Are you a floss floozy?

11. Silk?

12. Railroader?

13. Are you a pattern or designer snob?

14. Do you get antsy when you give someone a stitched gift?

15. Have you reached S.A.B.L.E.?

16. Do you wash your projects?

Rain Rain has gone away!

Hooray....completed another WIP this week! This is La-D-Da Rain Rain pattern done on 32 Count OD Linen. The threads of choice were Sampler Threads, silk was an option but decided not to for this one. Yes, I know it says 2009, but I wasn't going to change it at this point. But I did survive my first "ONE OVER ONE!" Happy stitching ladies.

Round Robin Begins...

The Ladies of the Mother, Maiden, & Crone blogspot have officially adopted a few rules of engagement for their first Round Robin ever. These rules may be subject to change...if need be. We shall see.

Rule #1: The Owner of the piece being worked on does not do the last section
Rule #2: All projects being completed should be approximately the same size (or smaller)
Rule #3: Each stitcher will stay within their specified space (no encroachment unless specialty stitches apply)
Rule #4: The time allotted for each session will be from the 15th of the month to the 15th of the month.
Rule#5: The stitched item will be placed in the mail on the 15th-earlier is OK if section complete.
Rule #6: The owner of the piece will post it upon completion.

Any other rules may apply as we discover them or write them. If changes need to be made that is "groovy" as well.

Lilybet Nightfall Complete-yeah!

I know that both of you have seen this complete, but since this was a WIP and now is finished I felt I MUST post it out of necessity. Plus I will probably post again once it is framed.

I like our discussion this evening of the events for the "Round Robin". The mother thinks we should only see the "piece" we are completing so that we will have a surprise when all is together. I do offer this...since we will only do one project at a time (thinking of the smaller ones)-I will professionally frame our first three-my gift to my fellow lovely stitchers. Love you guys.

Tree of Hope Canopy Complete 8/3

I must admit that I have some real "frogging" areas on this one. Because it is so abstract you can't really tell (thank goodness), but by the time I finish the bird I should be back on the right track again. I do love this piece..I actually am dreading working on the "ladies" that accompany it..I think I may have to switch to some type of botanicals in my future (go figure!) The Crone

Jimmy's Lighthouses

I finally finished them. The best part..... there is NO back stitching.

So now I have to decide which project to put on my newly freed stitching frame. Hmmm? Sabrina or Lady Hera? Decisions, decisions.

The Stitches that connect us

The Crone and I have been discussing a Round Robbin. I like the idea of the 3 of us working on a bigger project to accomplish something beautiful. Traditionally something already broken up into squares would be best, but I have 2 projects I would like to submit for consideration: Skeleton Crew (Cross Eyed Cricket) or My Lady's Garden (Mirabilia). They would be difficult, but the Crone already has everything we would need to complete the projects and she talks about them often! Thoughts? Votes? The Maiden

About two weeks later missing three days of stitching...

Am starting to get the hang of the Waterlilies..realized I have bunches of them for other projects but have not really had to do anything too much with them until now. It might be hard to tell, but I think they are working well. The Crone

Also..not called Tree of Life...Called Tree of Hope!

Mirabilia-Tree of Hope

I am having a great time with this piece. It is being done on OD linen "Crystal Fresco" 28 count. I do need more practice working with the Waterlilies-I'm not sure how many I have used in the past but they are a major player in this pattern. It is pretty easy so far-started Sunday night and had one complete day off from stitching. It compartmentalizes well so is fairly fun and quick. Miss you guys, The Crone

Happy birthday to you..Happy birthday to you..

I am happy to announce that the first official Mirabilia is framed and ready to be considered an heirloom piece. I think you should sign and date the back. It is huge because of the large frame, the extra wide matting and the internal fram..it might be hard to see but it has matching silver beading trim next to the piece. It if fabulous just like you. Happy birthday.

Maiden WIP

Here is my update for 2010, the crone has graciously helped me upload photo's since I am still without Internet. I have worked relentlessly on Venetian Opulence since May so I figured a post was in order. The Mother is still far ahead (I had no idea how much she had really done until I stitched it), but I am excited to see this piece develop. You were right, I just needed to get past the arch...

The waterlilies silk thread in the tail came out nice, but the gold in the corner started to give me migraines so I switched to Lilac...

I started Lilac at the beginning of this year, I was in a matrimonial mood....