“A Tale of Two Finishes” -- October 21, 2008

I’ve been able to finish all of the stitching on two of my current projects.

Two Happy Dances!

The first one is “Santa” by Cheryl Schaeffer. This was the project for the July, 2004 Canvas of the Month Club from the Stitching Post in Catonsville, Maryland.

When we last left this project… I had admitted to some reading confusion where we learned that I had misread the pattern and I had mixed up the Alabaster and the Fancy Fur threads. Sigh…

I was able to easily pick up more of the Alabaster but I had to order the Fancy Fur from my N-LNS (not local needlework store). Once the Fancy Fur arrived it took several weeks before I could put this project back on the table but now it’s done!

The pompom was stitched with alternating Tent and French Knot stitches. I’m pleased with how it has turned out!

The second finish was the “Peppermint Stripes” stocking by Joan Lohr. This project was the April, 2008 Canvas of the Month Club from the Stitching Post in Catonsville, Maryland. It’s been a while since you last saw this project as it took quite a while to stitch the body of the stocking. The silver and red vertical stripes worked up very quickly. The green stripe is done with the Fern stitch which takes a little longer as I have to carefully lay all of the threads. It’s worth the time and effort as it’s very pretty when it’s done.

I outlined each project with two rows of Basketweave using Splendor S802. This will help with the finishing.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my latest finishes. Thanks for stopping by my blog! :-)

Cynthia
Windy Meadow

“Blog Redesign & Comments, Questions and Answers” -- October 20, 2008

Thanks for all of the positive comments about the blog redesign! It took quite a while to do but I’m glad it’s done as it will be easier for me to update the sections on the right. I was also able to take a picture of fall at Windy Meadow this past Sunday. The leaves are starting are getting quite colorful! We are going to be having high winds tomorrow into Wednesday so I’m not sure what will be left to turn brighter colors over the next week or so. If it does get more colorful, I’ll take another picture to share with everyone. In the meanwhile, Enjoy Fall at Windy Meadow!

I received several great comments and emails about the Shenandoah Valley Chapter’s “Stitching for the Cure” event which will be held Saturday, November 22, 2008 at the Virginia Quilt Museum in Harrisonburg, VA. Don’t’ forget that even if you can’t attend the event, you can order the pattern and have it sent to you!

I’ve been enjoying reading everyone’s comments on my recent posts so I thought it would be time for another episode of “Comments, Questions, and Answers”!

Helen:
You are making a wonderful contribution by volunteering to be part of a control group for Ovarian Cancer! With the help of you and many others, hopefully they will quickly find a screening test for this awful disease.

Becky:
Please share with us pictures and information about the EGA workshop with Pat Thode in November. I’d love to hear all about it! Will you be stitching “Gillian” HS2123? I have her in my stash!

Beth:
North Star Santa was finished by a professional finisher through my not so local needlework shop! I usually send my completed items out for finishing as I rather spend the time stitching. Though there are a few things that I will finish myself. Hmmm... I'll have to create a post with some finishing ideas/instructions. :-)

I’ve been able to finish two projects in the last several weeks and I have two more new starts. More info with pictures tomorrow! :-)

I do enjoy reading everyone’s comments! Knowing that you are visiting and commenting on my blog leaves me with a big grin on my face!

Thanks for visiting!

Cynthia
Windy Meadow

“Blog Redesign” -- October 10, 2008

I’ve been spending some time redesigning my blog.

I’ve put a summer picture of Windy Meadow at the top. The leaves are beginning to turn and I’ll put up a new picture once they are bright and colorful.

I’ve also spent some time redoing the lists on the right. I haven’t liked how I originally posted my 2008 projects so after some research and effort I’ve posted a new list using a different format. I think this helps so that you (and me) can see what I’m working on and what I’ve finished. I’ve also added links to the names of the projects so you can see the projects if they are available online. I’ve also added a date stamp on the bottom so that you can see when I last updated the list.

Let me know what you think about the new look! :-)

I plan on adding my completed 2007 projects soon to the lists on the right. This will be more for my benefit so that I can see what I’ve finished! LOL!

Did you notice that I finished another 2008 project? Yep, it’s the “Santa” canvas by Cheryl Schaeffer for Rainbow Gallery. This was the July, 2004 Canvas of the Month Club which was offered by The Stitching Post in Catonsville, Maryland.

I’m also real close (and I mean really close) to finishing the “Peppermint Stripes” stocking by Joan Lohr for Rainbow Gallery. This was the April, 2008 Canvas of the Month Club which was offered by The Stitching Post in Catonsville, Maryland. I’m planning on finishing this project this weekend so I’ll have two new pictures for you!

I was planning on posting some new pictures this past weekend but DD went off to the Renaissance Festival with my camera! I also worked on Sunday so I didn’t have a lot of time to take and post pictures. I’ll have pictures this weekend, especially since I’ll be off on Monday and I plan on spending the whole day stitching as the kids will be at school. Wahoo!!! Mommy play day! :-)

Thanks for stopping by!

Cynthia
Windy Meadow

“Freebies, etc.!” Blog -- October 8, 2008

Needlepoint designer, Judy Harper, has started a new blog called, “Freebies, etc.!” She plans on sharing patterns and tutorials that she has developed over the years.

She’s already posted several examples and designs already.

http://needle-crafts.blogspot.com/

Have fun! :-)

Cynthia
Windy Meadow