Scissor Fobs, Pear and Cars

Today I made two Valentine Scissor Fobs. I purchased a few Valentine bracelets from Pier One, took them apart and added beads from stash and viola scissor fobs. Cannot wait for the Easter bracelets.
The "H" is finished except for the leaves which I will put in after I finish the background in that area. The "R" is still a work in progress.
Jake's cars are progressing along nicely. The street lights, traffic light and signs are done except for the beading. I will not do that until the sky is done. I should be getting all my extra threads for the sky and road this week so then I will be able to finish those areas and then move onto the really fun - stitching of the cars.
Linda

Cars for Jake

I ordered this canvas two years ago from Amy for Jake. I was so caught up in other stitching that I never got to it. Jake is going to be turning two in March and I decided it was time that Nana stitched this for her little man before he got to big. Jake is going to be getting a big boy bed and his room will now have a car theme. This canvas is going to be perfect for his room.
I will be dividing my time between the Christmas Banner and the Cars canvas. This canvas is by Alice Peterson and I got the stitch guide and threads from Amy. Amy did a magnificent stitch guide for it and this is going to be a fun stitch. I have to call Amy's to get a thread I am missing for the sky and more of the thread for the
Road. Amy suggested having a continuous run of ZOOM in the red border.
I saw so many canvases that I liked but so far have only ordered the Perfume Bottles from Amy. I love the eat love stitch canvas by &More along with Sew Much Fun's three dimensional Rose Pillow and Painted Pony's Halloween and Christmas Dress for Success. So many canvases and so little time to stitch it all.
Linda

First Finish of 2012

Yay!! I finished my "Little Drummer Boy" canvas. I saw this Sandy Jenkins canvas at my local store, Stitch by Stitch, already stitched & framed. Drummer Boy is one of my favorite Christmas songs, so I had to get this. It actually came with a stitch guide, but I knew that Tony Minieri could do some amazing things with this, so it was my project at our class just this past December.

I was right. This was fun to stitch, & Tony used some great threads & stitches.

Today was Stitch by Stitch's 7th anniversary. The store had a fun party, with prizes, snacks & special sales. I even won a prize & ordered a canvas from the upcoming TNNA show. I'm sure we're all looking forward to seeing the new treats the designers have for us; many of us have been following along with the hints left by the Needlepoint Group members.

On to the next project!!

Denise

Daylight for Stand

I received a comment from Diane about the magnifier/light I use. I do not use a magnifier so I can only answer to the light. I use the Daylight Slimline Lamp,
Number U32107. This light slips right into the tray attachment for the K's stand and also for the tray accessory for the System 4 stand. I have both stands and it works perfectly with both. I am presently using my K's stand and you can see from the picture how it works. I absolutely love this light. I can move the light to shine on specific areas of the canvas if needed and can raise or lower the height also. Another great feature is that it is attached to your stand and you do not have another floor light around. I used the floor stand Ott Light before this Daylight and I never felt that it gave me enough light.
I do not use a magnifier because I
had special stitching glasses made. You have the bifocal made +0.50 stronger than your regular reading glasses. You now have the perfect glasses to stitch with. I found out about this on the ANG site.
Hope this helps.
Linda

Progress on Christmas Banner

I have finally finished the "C". The last bead went in last night and then I immediately started the "H". This is such a fun and rewarding canvas to stitch. Each pear is truly a work of art. Amy has come up with such wonderful stitches and threads for each pear. I look forward to finishing one to see what adventure the next one holds. I am trying to stay on top of this project so I am not behind when the Thanksgiving House arrives in April.

The big birthday celebration has been booked. We will be going to the Saybrook Point Inn and Spa in Connecticut. The complex is spectacular and everyone is all excited about our spa/needlepoint adventure.
I cannot wait to share everything with you but as you know I have been censored so you will have to wait until the middle of July.

Linda

An Editorial Reply from the Censor

I felt the need to reign in Linda's excitement so that she did not ruin the party surprise for the attendees! So, you will be surprised with the rest of us in July.

I now need to redirect her focus from working on her own party favor before the party begins. Since there were so many treats in this big box from Amy's, can I ask all of you to join me in encouraging Linda to work on the many new projects in this lovely box from Amy's OTHER than her party favor?

Personally, I would love to see those trees stitched.....

Denise

My Big Box From Amy

Today the UPS man delivered my big box from Amy's. I was like Jake at Christmas, I could not open it fast enough.
The third lesson for the Christmas Banner was one item in the box. The next two pears are just beautiful. They are going to be such fun to stitch. My & More "give thanks" canvas was in the box and Amy really did a great stitch guide for this canvas. I also received Calamity Jane, a Melissa Shirley canvas, and the Christmas Trees by Sew Much Fun. Now I have to find the time to stitch all my new canvases.
The last picture is of a bag from Amy which contains the party favors for my BIG birthday this summer. We are all going to a spa in Connecticut for a weekend of pampering and stitching. I was planning on posting a picture of the contents of the bag but was censored by Denise. It is all her fault that you have to wait until July to find out what is in the bag. I can tell you that it is the absolutely best party favor ever.
I better get busy stitching if I want to get to all my new canvases.
Linda

Notwithstanding the Evidence

Happy New Year! I am already starting 2012 a little bit behind schedule....

It has been a wonderful few weeks. I love Christmas, all the hustle & bustle & visiting & entertaining. A little chaos keeps the blood moving. I got to see lots of babies these past two weeks, including my very active Godson, Jake. How Linda has even an ounce of energy to stitch is beyond me. He's a powerhouse.

Last night I remembered how to update the blog background, so that we were able to move from the fall leaves (which long disappeared from my yard) to the snow (which we already had by Halloween & more of which is inevitable between now & May).

I have been stitching, albeit sporadically, and, as you know, I am reluctant to display unfinished pieces. So stand by, as I expect to finish something.....shortly. If I don't run out of thread.

Back to work today. And to prove that I really am behind schedule, I am holding my office Christmas dinner for my staff & their families on....Thursday. And Frank's office party is next Friday. I think that by then I will have put my Christmas sweater away ;)

Soon!

Denise

Happy New Year

I wish you a Very Happy and Healthy New Year.
I cannot wait to see all the creative stitching we all do this year. Check out the wonderful stitch guides Amy has for the Kirk & Hamilton Poison bottle and the & More give thanks canvases.
Happy Stitching
Linda