Those who cannot stitch ...

One day my mother brought over a beautiful scrapbook she purchased on ETSY, I thought "I could make that for less than she paid, I am crafty!" Much to my chagrin $200 later, armed with supplies I set forth to make a scrapbook- and have been getting requests ever since!

These Vintage inspired books are some of my favorite!

I made a "Gardener" Book for the Crones Birthday

complete with a planting box and removable herb markers!

So many friends have ordered books that the Crone has nightmares about having to travel to my City and help me make them!

It is called a gatefold album, each page is a pocket for photo storage with a pull out to display your favorite memories!  

Flip pages, fold outs and diagonal front pockets with cards nestled inside complete the look!

I have completed over 20 books this fall, for endless occasions (Baby's first year, travel, in memory of) and love that I can still have a creative outlet despite not being able to stitch!

The Maiden  

Trouble no More

It has been a long time since this blog has seen a cross stitch finish, but the Mother has put an end to our sad situation!  

Toil and Trouble by Plum Street Samplers.

She originally sent the photo with her ironing board cover peeking through and I loved it! Placing fabric behind a piece before framing could be an interesting way of complimenting the project!

The Maiden  

Patient Peony

Here she sits, patiently waiting for the day when I can resume the golden x's that will bring her to life.

Inspired by The Mother's Damask Roses (or guided by stitcher's envy!) I began The Peony Garden.

Stitched on 32ct ODLinen Pewter

The Maiden  

Just Keep Swimming

Almost 2 years ago I was in a car accident, and I have struggled to find my way back to the needle ever since. Like many, I took solace in my hobby, and lost a valuable coping mechanism in a matter of moments. Gone was the ability to spend hours immersed in thought as I engaged in a visual and tactile feast of fibers and fabrics. Every few months I would try to stitch, and after a few meager crosses I would give in to the pain and stiffness in my neck and shoulders. This project is the product of such attempts.

"Aphrodite" by Mirabilia, stitched on 28ct Lugana Opalescence

The fabric truly is the star of the show!

The Maiden



The Colonel

This could be the start of a beautiful relationship...

The Crone



A Ghastlie Gathering

While the Crone has not been cross stitching she has been creating these wonderful embroidered designs!

These will be pillows from the Ghastlies line of fabric, we recently discovered while in St. George that the once retired line has been restarted!

We once traveled to 3 different states to buy this fabric, I am excited to see what will come of our obsession... at the very least I hope I will learn a new skill!

The Maiden  

NIght Creature

I am definitely getting into the Halloween mood, so I thought I would dig up a few past projects! After perusing the blog a few nights ago, I realized this Night Creature is one of my oldest WIPs, from the Gathering Place.

 

The Maiden



Which Witch?

When I am feeling lost, I often scroll through the pages of this blog. Each project reminds me of where I was in life and who I spent the many hours with stitching away with a cup of tea in hand.

I realized tonight that not only have my hands sat idle for the past 2 years, but so has the dialogue the Mother, Crone and I maintained through this blog. Time, distance, a lack of Wi-Fi, and an inability to stitch have created a void in this blog, and I will attempt to fill it with projects never posted and updates left unsaid.  

 

"Electra" by Nora Corbett

Stitched on 32ct ODL Limequat 

Hand dyed by myself

The Maiden



Making a Q snap change

The Mother is faster at stitching than I am at updating!

 

She also has been kitting away, you may see some interesting Chatelaine's in the near future!

 

Toiling Away

Here is the latest progress of the Mother's Halloween stitch, so much to fill in but who could complain when working with specialty threads?

 

Toil and Trouble

It is that time of year again where a chill creeps into the air and stitchers everywhere put needle and thread to Halloween inspired projects!

The Mother has been the only one of us three to stitch this year, but that does not mean the Crone and I have been idle! More on that to come...

She began a new project this evening, Toil and Trouble from Plum Street Samplers.

I am amazed at her progress in just one sitting!

The Maiden

Stashing not Stitching

Where has all the stitching gone? The Crone is finally on summer break and may pick up some UFOs in the near future and the mother is stitching away while on bed rest after breaking her ankle but has not posted. As for me, I continue to struggle with pain after my accident and have not been able to find a way back to the hobby I love. I remain ever hopeful, so in the meantime I stash!

Once retired, Gastlies has returned with a new line of quilting fabric. I am in so much trouble! I have signed up for a quilting class in September and cannot wait!

 

 

 

The crone was here for the weekend, celebrating 40 years of marriage! We did manage to get in some shopping at Stitcher's Paradise, The Christmas Goose (quilt shop) and a local bead store in between the numerous celebratory meals. I decided to bite the bullet and buy part one of the Sarah Sam Mystery Sampler (I have a strong aversion to patterns that come in parts, but could not resist this one!).  Along with the pattern I got cute crocheted pot holders ($2 each for all that work!) and a stuffed cat toy pattern (Gastlies cats for everyone!). The Maiden

Time for a move

The mother has been able to return Damask Roses after the busy holiday season, and I could not be more excited about her progress!