I’ve made some additions to my needlepoint and cross stitch blog rolls. When I find a new blog, I read every entry including the comments. Yep, every one! By the time I’ve read every entry and comment, I can then decide if I want to keep visiting the blog and if I want to add them to my blog roll. Now, I have very loose criteria but one of them is to update occasionally, and by that I mean at least several times a year. I’m not expecting professional writing but I do like to see pictures of projects. If they do needlepoint and other forms of embroidery, I add the blog to my needlepoint blog roll. If they stitch cross stitch and other embroidery designs, they are added to my cross stitch blog roll.
I’ve just added Kathryn’s blog, “Threads of Desire”. Kathryn does both needlepoint and cross stitch. Kathryn is working on some lovely designs and helps to organize fan conventions. Kathryn spends most of her time in either Las Vegas or in Hawaii and writes wonderful reviews of new technical products.
I’ve also added Ruth’s blog, “The Musing Badger”. Ruth does both needlepoint and cross stitch. She is active in several exchanges and I don’t know where she finds the time to stitch all of the projects that she does every year! She is a very entertaining writer with a dry wit and is a fun read.
Pam’s blog, “The Left Handed Stitcher” has also been added. Pam is a young mother and I’m not sure where she finds the time to stitch everything that she does as I remember how busy those days were when my children were young! Pam is also a member of EGA and does both needlepoint and cross stitch. She just designed her first Biscornu pattern and I think she did a wonderful job!
I’ve also added Coni, “The Spinster Stitcher”. Coni does both needlepoint and cross stitch, is new to blogging, and has a lot of pictures of projects in her blog’s slide show! Her dog Stewey might not be as pleased with her blogging adventures as she has the pictures of him with his baby teeth at the top of her blog. The last we heard from him he was discussing this situation with “his people” to see if “his people” needed to talk to “her people”!
Madonna of the “Frontrange Stitcher” blog is also new to blogging. She stitches primarily needlepoint but does enjoy other forms of embroidery. She was a recent stop on Janet Perry’s Bargello virtual book tour.
I’ve also just added Jan, “Stitchlady’s Weblog” to my blog roll. Jan is very new to blogging and is currently working on a Joan Thomasson Santa, “Colonial Santa”.
Vonna from “The Twisted Stitcher” has also been added to my cross stitch blog roll. Vonna is primarily a cross stitcher and posts frequently to her blog. She is very involved in many different exchanges, thirty last year! She also plays music on her blog so don’t be surprised if your computer starts singing to you!
I’ve also added Debby from the “Stitch Wizard” to my cross stitch blog roll. Debby lives in Texas and has been a frequent poster over the last several years. Lot’s of entries to read which is always fun!
Please have fun visiting the new additions to my blog roll, especially the newest additions to the needlework blogging community. We want to keep them posting with news and with pictures because if you don’t have time to stitch, the next best thing is reading about stitching! :-)
I’ve added other stitchers to my blog rolls since I started my new blog on Blog Spot but since I can’t remember who I added when, please have fun and visit all of them!
Thank you for visiting my blog. I appreciate and read every comment!
Cynthia
Windy Meadow
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
“Secret Projects & Stash Enhancement” -- June 19, 2008
I have been stitching away at least 15 minutes each day since I began the Fifteen Minute Stitching Challenge. Wahoo!
How is everyone else doing?
I’m working on my Bargello Challenge project which I’ll be able to share with everyone next week. If you want to learn more about this project please visit Janet Perry’s “Nuts About Needlepoint” blog and read the June 4, 2008 entry.
Janet challenged me to stitch a project from a Bargello line that she provided. We are both stitching socks but that’s all of the information for now as I can’t share the project with you until June 25, 2008. :-)
I’ve also been stitching on a Christmas project for Dear Daughter as she has been away this week, but since I know she reads my blog I can’t share any pictures now. :-) I’m taking pictures of my progress and I’ll share with everyone next January.
In the meanwhile, I did visit my LNS for a little stash enhancement. These are purchases that I picked up over the last several weeks.
My daughter and I are both planning on stitching the set of Kimonos from “Needlepoint Now”. These were designed by Marget Bendig. They are just beautiful!
My daughter will be stitching the Spring Kimono with the colors listed in the design. The Spring Kimono is the Aqua Kimono on the cover. These are on the bottom right of the picture. I decided to mix things up a little bit and I’ll be stitching the Spring Kimono with the colors on the bottom left of the picture.
The fibers at the top left are for the Summer Kimono and are the ones listed in the instructions. The Summer Kimono is the one on the upper right of the magazine cover. I haven’t picked out yet what I’ll do for the Summer Kimono as I need to finish a project or two before I get too far ahead of myself!
I also picked up some Mill Hill kits to add to my stash. My LNS is going to have a sale this summer where if you buy 5 Mill Hill kits you get the sixth for free. Have I mentioned before that I like the Mill Hill kits? I have big plans for that sale! LOL!!!
I’m so glad that you were able to stop by my blog and I hope to have more project pictures for soon! I’m loving the Fifteen Minute Stitching Challenge! :-)
Cynthia
Windy Meadow
How is everyone else doing?
I’m working on my Bargello Challenge project which I’ll be able to share with everyone next week. If you want to learn more about this project please visit Janet Perry’s “Nuts About Needlepoint” blog and read the June 4, 2008 entry.
Janet challenged me to stitch a project from a Bargello line that she provided. We are both stitching socks but that’s all of the information for now as I can’t share the project with you until June 25, 2008. :-)
I’ve also been stitching on a Christmas project for Dear Daughter as she has been away this week, but since I know she reads my blog I can’t share any pictures now. :-) I’m taking pictures of my progress and I’ll share with everyone next January.
In the meanwhile, I did visit my LNS for a little stash enhancement. These are purchases that I picked up over the last several weeks.
My daughter and I are both planning on stitching the set of Kimonos from “Needlepoint Now”. These were designed by Marget Bendig. They are just beautiful!
My daughter will be stitching the Spring Kimono with the colors listed in the design. The Spring Kimono is the Aqua Kimono on the cover. These are on the bottom right of the picture. I decided to mix things up a little bit and I’ll be stitching the Spring Kimono with the colors on the bottom left of the picture.
The fibers at the top left are for the Summer Kimono and are the ones listed in the instructions. The Summer Kimono is the one on the upper right of the magazine cover. I haven’t picked out yet what I’ll do for the Summer Kimono as I need to finish a project or two before I get too far ahead of myself!
I also picked up some Mill Hill kits to add to my stash. My LNS is going to have a sale this summer where if you buy 5 Mill Hill kits you get the sixth for free. Have I mentioned before that I like the Mill Hill kits? I have big plans for that sale! LOL!!!
The final stash picture is of a few other items that I picked up recently. The Raise the Roof design is “You Suit Me”. My husband plays cards and I think he’ll like this design. I’m planning on stitching this for next Valentine’s Day. The next project is by The Cricket Collection and is “Give Us a Kiss”. It’s all kinds of different pictures of Hershey Kisses. I’ve been having fun watching Kathryn stitch her sheep on her blog; “Threads of Desire”. When I was in my LNS in May, the free graph for the month is Bent Creek’s “The Little Sheep that Could”. Well, I just had to pick up the materials pack as the graph was free! :-) The other threads are odds and ends that I need for other projects.
I also thought I would share with you the door prizes and basket my daughter and I won at a recent basket bingo.
I’m so glad that you were able to stop by my blog and I hope to have more project pictures for soon! I’m loving the Fifteen Minute Stitching Challenge! :-)
Cynthia
Windy Meadow
“Stitching Update” -- June 17, 2008
I was trying to post a new entry on Sunday but our camera decided it did NOT want to talk to our computer. After a lot of sweet talking and some muttering we were finally able to load up the pictures from my camera. Sigh…
School ended last Tuesday and I was hoping to get a lot of stitching completed in the evenings. Well, that didn’t happen. Oh well. We still had a lot of odds and ends to wrap up, our son went “downy Ocean” and back and we’ve had some large storm systems come through Windy Meadow in the last week including Monday night!
This is what I’ve accomplished in the last week or so.
School ended last Tuesday and I was hoping to get a lot of stitching completed in the evenings. Well, that didn’t happen. Oh well. We still had a lot of odds and ends to wrap up, our son went “downy Ocean” and back and we’ve had some large storm systems come through Windy Meadow in the last week including Monday night!
This is what I’ve accomplished in the last week or so.
1. Large Project: “Holiday Patches” by Susan Krendt
I was able to finish stitching the one green section towards the top and to the right in the picture. I also started the two sections in the center which are about halfway completed.
2. Medium Project: “Candy Swirl Santa” by Janet Zickler Casey
No progress.
3. Small Project: “Peppermint Stripes” stocking by Joan Lohr
April, 2008 Canvas of the Month Club
No progress.
4. Charity/Teaching Needlework
No progress.
5. Organizing Needlework Stash
I was able to purchase a lot of storage containers which I’m going to use to reorganize my beads. I’ll have a picture of them soon.
6. Household Stitching
Fixed a dining room cushion.
Sewed on lots of Girl Scout badges on my daughters vest. This took a long time as I realized when I started stitching that I was ummmm three years behind (she says while ducking). I’m the leader of the troop and of course like most troop leaders I spend a lot of time advising the girls and I guess I kind of got behind on her patches. Well I was finally able to stitch on the important ones for the Community Bridging night. Now we have to wait for a few important ones to arrive as they were out of them at the Council store. We then have to decide what to do with the three baggies of fun patches that she’s received over the last three years. These will probably go in a binder.
7. Beaded Project: “Moonlight Ghost” (2008) MH188205
2008 Autumn Harvest Pins Collection
I’ve finished stitching all of the white. These are always quick and fun stitches. When I stitch these I absolutely don’t worry about laying threads. I took two pictures. One on a white background and one on a dark green background as I wasn’t too sure which would look better on screen.
8. Gift Stitching
Great intentions on working on a project for Dear Son but ran out of time and
energy!
I appreciate everyone visiting and especially those who comment! Thank you!!!
Cynthia
Windy Meadow
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
“Questions & Answers” -- June 10, 2008
I’ve had several questions on the comments that I would like to answer as I do appreciate those of you who have commented. If you have visited my blog, please feel free to post a comment or drop me an email. I’d love to hear from you and then visit your blog or just hear from you and then I’ll encourage you to start a blog! We need more needlework blogs!!!
Hi Kathryn, pick another month for a “Fifteen Minute Stitching Challenge” which works for you and I’ll see if I can join in. Just not December she pleads! LOL!
Hi Helen, thank you for visiting from over the pond! I enjoy reading your blog and seeing what you are working on. Also, American English isn’t like other countries English so it’s fun to read English blogs from around the world. Plus I like seeing the materials that are available to you there in England. I was surprised to learn that many of the stitchers in other countries are ordering their supplies from US shops. We are spoiled with needlework goodies here aren’t we?!
Hi Ruth, yes I do like tacks better than staples. First of all, I’m dangerous with a stapler! :-)
I find that tacks are easier to use to attach a canvas to the stretcher bars. When I slid the point of the tack into the wood, I do so at an angle. As I push the tack in, I straighten it up which helps nudge the canvas in the direction away from the angle that I started the tack at. In other words, the tack will be tilted into the center of the canvas. As I’m pushing the tack in, I’m straightening it up so it is now centered over the stretcher bar which helps pull the canvas a little bit more towards the stretcher bars. I usually push the tacks in using my fingers but there are two dohickys (whose names escapes me right now – update we found the memory entry - one is a “EZ Tack-It” and the other option is a “Corjak Tack Kit” just google them) which you can use to help push the tack in. I have one of these and it is helpful to reduce the wear and tear on the fingers but usually I just push the tacks in myself.
I must admit I love to stitch basketweave. It’s very rhythmic and relaxing and is great to do while watching TV as you don’t need to concentrate on the stitch. Ruth, why don’t you add one of your basketweave projects to your rotation and stitch on that project while watching TV or your movies? If you break up the stitching, you’ll be surprised how quickly each project will be completed and you won’t be so frustrated/bored. Especially since basketweave is one half of a cross stitch. See, it’s quicker than what you are already stitching! LOL!!!
Ruth you need to update your blog with your needlepoint progress. I want to seeeeeee…. ;-)
Janet, you do need to stitch every day for yourself otherwise this will become too much like a job! We need to see what you are stitching just for you and your loved ones. Please share on your blog or create a simple blog just for those pieces. For those who might not know, Janet writes needlepoint books and designs stitch guides. She has a job that most of us want but she the challenge is as part of her “work” she is constantly stitching to deadlines. And yes Janet, I’m working on the Bargello Challenge which I’ll share with everyone soon as we planned! :-)
Hi Nancy, Janet of “A Collection of Designs” has lots of cookies for many different themes. Check them out here;
http://www.acollectionofdesigns.com/
Right now “The Stitching Post” in Catonsville, Maryland has Janet’s trunk show until this Saturday, June 14, 2008;
http://www.the-stitching-post.com/
Hi Terry, maybe you can join us for the next Fifteen-Minute-Stitching-Challenge. And believe me, I understand about those days getting shorter and shorter. Unless you are on a deadline and then you are in a panic as you are running out of time! Funny how that works she says with a puzzled look on her face. :-)
Hi Pat, ah man, you can stitch for a minimum of one hour per day?! Okay, I’m officially jealous! Actually I used to be able to stitch for several hours each day. Of course, that was before husband and children who I wouldn’t trade for anything. I’m at the busy time of life which I’ll look back on with fondness and wonder how the heck I got everything done!
Okay Ruth, it’s going… Picture me as a duck, serene on the surface of the water but those feet are really moving! :-)
Hi Jeanne, I posted on your blog the question about Gay Ann’s “Mystery in a Corner” and I meant the comment to be humorous. Okay, that one fell flat on the floor. Sigh… I do have Gay Ann’s “Mystery in a Corner” and I do know that she hasn’t mailed the next section yet. If I was as far along as you, I’d be watching the mail box every day and lurking for the mail carrier. Thank goodness she hasn’t mailed the next section yet, as I haven’t even purchased my supplies and I don’t know when I’ll get to this project with everything else going on. I didn’t need another project, of course, but I couldn’t resist, of course! LOL!
I’m hoping to do a little gift stitching this week as DS will be going, as we say around here, “Downy Ocean” for the rest of the week with a friend and his family.
I’ve also taken pictures of my projects as of Sunday night which I hope to share with everyone. That is, if our Internet is available tonight (she says while crossing her fingers which is hard to do while typing… Okay, I crossed my toes instead).
Thank you for visiting my little piece of the blog-o-sphere!
Cynthia
Windy Meadow
Hi Kathryn, pick another month for a “Fifteen Minute Stitching Challenge” which works for you and I’ll see if I can join in. Just not December she pleads! LOL!
Hi Helen, thank you for visiting from over the pond! I enjoy reading your blog and seeing what you are working on. Also, American English isn’t like other countries English so it’s fun to read English blogs from around the world. Plus I like seeing the materials that are available to you there in England. I was surprised to learn that many of the stitchers in other countries are ordering their supplies from US shops. We are spoiled with needlework goodies here aren’t we?!
Hi Ruth, yes I do like tacks better than staples. First of all, I’m dangerous with a stapler! :-)
I find that tacks are easier to use to attach a canvas to the stretcher bars. When I slid the point of the tack into the wood, I do so at an angle. As I push the tack in, I straighten it up which helps nudge the canvas in the direction away from the angle that I started the tack at. In other words, the tack will be tilted into the center of the canvas. As I’m pushing the tack in, I’m straightening it up so it is now centered over the stretcher bar which helps pull the canvas a little bit more towards the stretcher bars. I usually push the tacks in using my fingers but there are two dohickys (whose names escapes me right now – update we found the memory entry - one is a “EZ Tack-It” and the other option is a “Corjak Tack Kit” just google them) which you can use to help push the tack in. I have one of these and it is helpful to reduce the wear and tear on the fingers but usually I just push the tacks in myself.
I must admit I love to stitch basketweave. It’s very rhythmic and relaxing and is great to do while watching TV as you don’t need to concentrate on the stitch. Ruth, why don’t you add one of your basketweave projects to your rotation and stitch on that project while watching TV or your movies? If you break up the stitching, you’ll be surprised how quickly each project will be completed and you won’t be so frustrated/bored. Especially since basketweave is one half of a cross stitch. See, it’s quicker than what you are already stitching! LOL!!!
Ruth you need to update your blog with your needlepoint progress. I want to seeeeeee…. ;-)
Janet, you do need to stitch every day for yourself otherwise this will become too much like a job! We need to see what you are stitching just for you and your loved ones. Please share on your blog or create a simple blog just for those pieces. For those who might not know, Janet writes needlepoint books and designs stitch guides. She has a job that most of us want but she the challenge is as part of her “work” she is constantly stitching to deadlines. And yes Janet, I’m working on the Bargello Challenge which I’ll share with everyone soon as we planned! :-)
Hi Nancy, Janet of “A Collection of Designs” has lots of cookies for many different themes. Check them out here;
http://www.acollectionofdesigns.com/
Right now “The Stitching Post” in Catonsville, Maryland has Janet’s trunk show until this Saturday, June 14, 2008;
http://www.the-stitching-post.com/
Hi Terry, maybe you can join us for the next Fifteen-Minute-Stitching-Challenge. And believe me, I understand about those days getting shorter and shorter. Unless you are on a deadline and then you are in a panic as you are running out of time! Funny how that works she says with a puzzled look on her face. :-)
Hi Pat, ah man, you can stitch for a minimum of one hour per day?! Okay, I’m officially jealous! Actually I used to be able to stitch for several hours each day. Of course, that was before husband and children who I wouldn’t trade for anything. I’m at the busy time of life which I’ll look back on with fondness and wonder how the heck I got everything done!
Okay Ruth, it’s going… Picture me as a duck, serene on the surface of the water but those feet are really moving! :-)
Hi Jeanne, I posted on your blog the question about Gay Ann’s “Mystery in a Corner” and I meant the comment to be humorous. Okay, that one fell flat on the floor. Sigh… I do have Gay Ann’s “Mystery in a Corner” and I do know that she hasn’t mailed the next section yet. If I was as far along as you, I’d be watching the mail box every day and lurking for the mail carrier. Thank goodness she hasn’t mailed the next section yet, as I haven’t even purchased my supplies and I don’t know when I’ll get to this project with everything else going on. I didn’t need another project, of course, but I couldn’t resist, of course! LOL!
I’m hoping to do a little gift stitching this week as DS will be going, as we say around here, “Downy Ocean” for the rest of the week with a friend and his family.
I’ve also taken pictures of my projects as of Sunday night which I hope to share with everyone. That is, if our Internet is available tonight (she says while crossing her fingers which is hard to do while typing… Okay, I crossed my toes instead).
Thank you for visiting my little piece of the blog-o-sphere!
Cynthia
Windy Meadow
“Fifteen Minute Stitching Challenge” -- June 10, 2008
Schools out! Schools out! Schools out!
And they think the kids get excited! :-)
Today is the last day of school for my children and they and I are very excited. They both have lots of fun activities planned for the summer. Next year they will both be in the same school again for one year instead of in opposite directions which will help with scheduling and just about everything so I’m excited!
With all of the busyness of the end of the school year activities, I have been able to stitch at least fifteen minutes each day! Wahoo!!!
How is everyone else doing? Janet, Pat, Jeanne? Anyone else?
I’ve taken pictures of my status as of this past Sunday night which I’ll be posting soon. Here in Windy Meadow we’ve been having a “little” bit of a problem with our Internet connection and now they are calling for storms again tonight and into tomorrow. Sigh… If the cable cooperates, I hope to have new pictures up tonight or tomorrow.
I really appreciate everyone’s comments and that you take the time to visit my blog.
Thank you!!!
Cynthia
Windy Meadow
And they think the kids get excited! :-)
Today is the last day of school for my children and they and I are very excited. They both have lots of fun activities planned for the summer. Next year they will both be in the same school again for one year instead of in opposite directions which will help with scheduling and just about everything so I’m excited!
With all of the busyness of the end of the school year activities, I have been able to stitch at least fifteen minutes each day! Wahoo!!!
How is everyone else doing? Janet, Pat, Jeanne? Anyone else?
I’ve taken pictures of my status as of this past Sunday night which I’ll be posting soon. Here in Windy Meadow we’ve been having a “little” bit of a problem with our Internet connection and now they are calling for storms again tonight and into tomorrow. Sigh… If the cable cooperates, I hope to have new pictures up tonight or tomorrow.
I really appreciate everyone’s comments and that you take the time to visit my blog.
Thank you!!!
Cynthia
Windy Meadow
Sunday, June 1, 2008
“Fifteen Minute Stitching Challenge” -- June 1, 2008
I’ve decided on setting a goal for myself during the month of June, 2008. I’m challenging myself to stitch at least 15 minutes each day. Cross your fingers that I’m able to meet this goal!
You are also welcome to join me in my challenge. Just let me know by commenting if you too have decided to stitch at least 15 minutes each day. I’d love reading about your progress. :-)
Why a stitching challenge you ask? Well school is almost over for this year and I am wrapping up some of my volunteer activities. So I’m planning on having more time to stitch. I also want to get more stitching done for fun and to make some progress on my projects. I haven’t had any project finishes for a while though I can see that I’ve made progress on all of my projects.
Why a stitching challenge in June? I’ve seen other stitching and posting challenges on other stitchers blogs but they always seem to be scheduled for my busy times. For example, I really don’t have time to post a blog entry every day during the month of November. I mean talk about a busy time of year! :-) I usually have a lot more free time during January through February and then mid-June through the third week of August.
I’m already cutting it a little close to meet my goal for today. It’s already past 9:00pm our time so as soon as I post this entry I’m heading over to work on my projects.
Thank you for stopping by and reading my blog. I love reading everyone’s comments! :-)
Cynthia
Windy Meadow
You are also welcome to join me in my challenge. Just let me know by commenting if you too have decided to stitch at least 15 minutes each day. I’d love reading about your progress. :-)
Why a stitching challenge you ask? Well school is almost over for this year and I am wrapping up some of my volunteer activities. So I’m planning on having more time to stitch. I also want to get more stitching done for fun and to make some progress on my projects. I haven’t had any project finishes for a while though I can see that I’ve made progress on all of my projects.
Why a stitching challenge in June? I’ve seen other stitching and posting challenges on other stitchers blogs but they always seem to be scheduled for my busy times. For example, I really don’t have time to post a blog entry every day during the month of November. I mean talk about a busy time of year! :-) I usually have a lot more free time during January through February and then mid-June through the third week of August.
I’m already cutting it a little close to meet my goal for today. It’s already past 9:00pm our time so as soon as I post this entry I’m heading over to work on my projects.
Thank you for stopping by and reading my blog. I love reading everyone’s comments! :-)
Cynthia
Windy Meadow
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