“February, 2010 Christmas Green Ornament” -- February 14, 2010”

In between digging out from the second major snow storm of the week, I was able to finish up the February, 2010 Christmas Green Ornament this past Friday.

"Christmas Green Ornament"
Sally's 2009 Christmas Lights from Rainbow Gallery
Offered by The Stitching Post in Catonsville, Maryland
February, 2010

The Stitching Post in Catonsville, Maryland is offering 12 Christmas Lights for their 2010 Canvas of the Month Club. These were designed by Sally for Rainbow Gallery and are based on a concept by Susan Portra.

This was another very quick and fun stitch. Now I have to wait until March, 2010 for the next ornament. :-)

This is the Christmas series that I’ll be stitching for Yoyo’s 2010 Christmas Stitch-a-Long. I am now caught up as I’ve stitched both the January and February, 2010 ornaments. Actually, I’m thrilled as I finished both ornaments by February 12, 2010! LOL!

Dee asked if there is a different design on each light bulb. Yes, there are different designs and different threads used on each ornament. The only repeating design element between the light bulbs so far is the gold Neon Rays+ that is used for each bulb cover. This area is stitched in a long diagonal stitch. We will be using the gold for the first six ornaments so I’m “guessing” that we might be doing the next six with a silver cover. Or than again we might be getting a new card of gold to continue with the next six. :-)

Please note that since the designs are by Rainbow Gallery each ornament is stitched using threads from Rainbow Gallery. These are a fun way try the Rainbow Gallery threads if you haven’t used them before.

I hope with the two sets of photos you can see the difference in the stitches by clicking on the photos. With all of the “fun” weather we have been having, it’s been a challenge taking photos! :-)

Thank you for stopping by and I hope that enjoy seeing my new finished project!

Cynthia
A Snowbound Windy Meadow

“January, 2010 Christmas Red Ornament” -- February 10, 2010”

In between digging out from all of the snow this past week, I was able to finish up the January, 2010 Christmas Red Ornament this past Monday.

"Christmas Red Ornament"
Sally's 2009 Christmas Lights from Rainbow Gallery
Offered by The Stitching Post in Catonsville, Maryland
January, 2010

The Stitching Post in Catonsville, Maryland is offering 12 Christmas Lights for their 2010 Canvas of the Month Club. These were designed by Sally for Rainbow Gallery and are based on a concept by Susan Portra.

This was a very quick and fun stitch. I’m already working on the February Green Ornament which I hope to share with you soon!

I know that I have the original patterns that were designed by Susan for Rainbow Gallery in my stash. Hmm, I’ll have to find those when I start organizing again! :-)

By the way, the top of the ornament is actually gold which just wouldn’t photograph well! Especially with the gray skies we have been having with all of this snow. I’ll post a second picture below which hopefully shows the gold better. Sigh…

I decided to stitch the Christmas Lights as the series that I’ll be stitching will participating in Yoyo’s 2010 Christmas Stitch-a-Long. Yoyo decided in November, 2009 that she needed some encouragement to work on her Christmas designs. So she decided to create the 2010 Christmas SAL. The rules are very loose and you can read them by clicking on the 2010 Christmas SAL links.

Basically, the participants are to pick a design or series of designs that they want to stitch that have a Christmas theme. The goal is to spend the first week of each month working on this project. Did I mention that the rules were loose? Yoyo just asks that we send her a new photo by the end of each month so that she can post the photo in our Christmas SAL photo album. Hopefully by the end of year we will have made a lot of progress and we meet some new stitchers and have some new fun blogs to read. :-)

If you think that Yoyo’s name sounds familiar that’s because she is the creator of the Totally Useless SAL!

Thank you for stopping by and I hope that you are staying safe and warm this winter and staying busy with some fun stitching!

Cynthia
A Snowbound Windy Meadow

“January Fortune Cookie” -- February 8, 2010”

This past weekend I had lots of time to stitch due to the 2010 Blizzard. That is when we weren’t digging out from all of the snow! LOL!

I was able to finish up the "Happy New Year" January Fortune Cookie canvas. This was a quick fun stitch and I would definitely recommend the Fortune Cookie Canvas of the Month Club from Fireside Stitchery.

"Happy New Year" Fortune Cookie
January, 2010
Hand Painted Canvas by Little Shoppe Canvas Company
Stitch and Thread Selection by Fireside Stitchery
2010 Fortune Cookie Club offered by Fireside Stitchery in Frazer, PA

The snowflake medallions are stitched in a silver metallic and the filler between is ThreadworX. Unfortunately, the camera is having problems with the silver metallic but it’s beautiful in person. Just shimmers and looks like silver fireworks or snow falling out of a night sky. Yes, we’ve seen plenty of night snow this winter. LOL!

My plan is to stitch two of the fortune cookies and then send them off for finishing.

Thank you for stopping by and I’ll have another post for you soon of another finish from this weekend!

Cynthia
Windy Meadow

January Fortune Cookie -- February 1, 2010

Hi Everyone!

I was working very hard to be able to share with you a finish, my January Fortune Cookie from the Fireside Stitchery's Fortune Cookie Club. I had a lot of time to stitch this weekend due to the Saturday snowfall and lot's of activities being cancelled. As I said, I was hoping to have a finish but sadly there was a bit of undo stitching here in Windy Meadow. Sigh...

Since I haven’t finished all of the non-metallic stitches it’s not playing nice with the camera. So let me point you to Fireside Stitchery’s Fortune Cookie Club page so you can see what it’s going to look like. Have fun and I’ll be back soon!

Thank you for stopping by my little home on the web!

Cynthia
Windy Meadow

"Spoiled Rotten” -- January 27, 2010”

Yep, I’m spoiled rotten!

Why you ask?

I was hoping you would!

Well, last fall was a “Magic” birthday for me which is a birthday ending in a zero.

Oh gosh guys, you are too too kind, no I didn’t turn 30! :-)

So my dear, sweet, clueless husband was trying to figure out what to get for me as he really, really wanted to make this a special birthday.

Now, this is especially hard as if we want something, we usually just buy it. He also, ahem, has absolutely no talent in picking out clothes or jewelry for me. And since I read between three to five books a week, well that wasn’t going to work.

So, to save the poor dear man, and at his fervent request, I pointed him to several websites for canvas and Canvas of the Month clubs gift ideas.

On the day of my birth anniversary, actually it was several days later as we were too busy on my birthday to slow down for a fun meal and presents, he presented me with my birthday gifts. I was absolutely amazed as not only did he buy the Fireside Stitchery Fortune Cookie Club, he also purchased the Fireside Stitchery Candy Cane Club!

Well, I was speechless!

And for those who know me, this is a very rare event!!!

This past weekend I received the first canvas from both clubs so I hope to share some stitching progress with you soon!

Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting Windy Meadow!

Where it is about to get very windy and cold this weekend!

And I don’t have to go anywhere so hopefully I’ll be able to stitch!

Cynthia
Windy Meadow

"Marquis" August, 2009's Canvas of the Month Club

I stitched "Marquis" back in October, 2009. This is the August, 2009 kit from the 2009 Bargello Ornament Club from The Stitching Post in Catonsville, Maryland. The red, green and gold threads just sparkle on the red canvas.

"Marquis"

Sally's 2008 Bargello Christmas Ornaments from Rainbow Gallery

Offered by The Stitching Post in Catonsville, Maryland

October, 2009

Rainbow Gallery's Silk Lame Braid, Neon Rays, Panache, Petite Treasure Braid

Hope you enjoyed another one of my stitched projects from last year!

So glad you took the time to stop by and I enjoy reading all of the comments. :-)

Cynthia
Windy Meadow

Pink Patchwork Shoe -- January 10, 2010

The Patchwork Pink Shoe is from A Collection of Designs and was one of the designs available in 2004 through Fireside Stitchery's " Halloween Cookie Club". I finished the first several in the club series and then of course, life got busy. :-)

I pulled it back out earlier this fall and this is where I left the stitching when I last put it down. I've made a bit of progress on the pink background and some of the other areas. It's back on the table and hopefully I'll be able to make some more progress soon so I'll have something to share with you.

Patchwork Pink Shoe
A Collection of Designs
Halloween Cookie Club through Fireside Stitchery

DMC Floss, DMC#5 Perle Cotton

Rainbow Gallery's Grandeur, Petite Frosty Rays, Petite Sparkle Rays, Splendor

River Silk Ribbon,

Kreinik #12 Braid

YLI Corporation Ultra-Shimmer

Wichelt Corporations Mill Hill Petite Seed Beads

Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting my blog!

Cynthia
Windy Meadow

Harlequin Star - A Final Finish!

"Harlequin Star" has finally been finished into an ornament!

Wahoo!!!



Okay, I know the picture is a bit washed out but it's the best I've been able to do. It's actually quite bright and colorful in person.

Here in the Mid-Atlantic we've been in a wet weather pattern for several months. Well, that's what the local weather personnel call it. LOL!!!

So of course, anytime I have some free time during the day and I want to take a picture it's raining, or just finishing raining, or just about to start raining. Sigh...

I finally decided that I'm going to start posting with the pictures that I've been able to take.

Yes, I enjoy all types of weather but the rain is starting to get a bit old. Can you tell that I went grocery shopping tonight in the rain and got rather wet loading the groceries into the car? LOL!!! They are forecasting an inch of rain tonight and I think I came home wearing about a quarter inch of it. LOL!!!

Thanks for stopping by, especially as I've been gone for a while! :-)

Cynthia
Windy Meadow

“Candles Glow” by Joan Lohr -- April 29, 2009

I’ve Finally finished “Candles Glow” which was designed by Joan Lohr for Rainbow Gallery.


“Candles Glow” was the August, 2008 Canvas of the Month club from The Stitching Post. I only have two more (September and October, 2008) and I’ll be done with the 2008 canvases. Then it's on to the 2009 Canvas of the Month Club canvases.

Why do I say “Finally” finished? Well, this design took a little bit longer to stitch. Mainly because I got in the rhythm of stitching the candles and somehow, somehow, somehow, I ended up stitching the middle candle exactly one stitch short width wise. Of course I didn’t notice this until I finished stitching all FIVE candles and half of the gold border on the bottom. I FINALLY realized that I had a problem when I couldn’t get the bottom gold border to come out correctly. After much recounting, I finally figured out that the center candle was the problem. Heavy SIGH!

So, after ordering new threads, undo stitching and then re-stitching three of the candles, I was finally able to finish stitching the gold bottom border.

Then all I needed to do was fill in the background with the T-Stitch using yellow pearl Hi-Lights. This was a lot of fun but a bit of an adventure as I had to spend time repeatedly untwisting the Hi-Lights as it tended to want to curl back on it’s self. This wasn’t a real problem but it just took a while.

I do think that it turned out lovely!

Once I’ve written the journal entry for “Candles Glow”, it will be added to the container to wait its turn to be finished into an ornament.

I hope that you are having a great week, that you are staying cool (temperatures here were in the low 90’s earlier this week!), that you are safe and dry (it’s started raining here again but we need it), and that you have found some time to stitch!

Cynthia
Windy Meadow

“Harlequin Star” by Laura J. Perin -- March 28, 2009

I’ve finished another of the Canvas of the Month club canvases. This time it’s “Harlequin Star” by Laura J. Perin!


This was the July, 2008 Canvas of the Month club from The Stitching Post.

This was a very fun design which worked up quickly. It’s stitched on a lovely gold metallic flecked canvas and it just sparkles!

I’ve already written the journal entry for this project and I’m hoping that soon I’ll be able to send this design and several others to the finisher.

Now on to comments and questions…

Thanks for all of the positive comments on the “Snow Cone Santa” and no he isn’t going visiting! He’s going to stay right here!!! :-)

I’ve had several questions about my rotation system and I’m working on a detailed post which hopefully (she says while crossing her fingers) I’ll be able to post next month. I can’t believe that March is almost over! I’ll just give quick answers to several questions now. I usually have 3 to 4 active projects on the table. I then move between them as the mood strikes or depending on the tiredness factor. As a project is finished, I write up the journal entry, the extra fibers are documented and stored just in case, and the project is labeled and placed in a storage container to wait its turn to go to the finisher or to be finished. I keep a master list of all of my current projects by category and I check the list to see what should go on the table next. I always have on the table one of the canvas of the month clubs, a JB Nutcracker design, and usually a Heartstrings design. I then have at least one canvas from the large, medium or small categories. Of course this can vary!

One of my “challenges” is that I finish stitching a design but I’m not quick about sending it off to be finished. Yes, I know that I can finish it myself but I rather stitch! As one of this year’s goals I’m working on sending off more of my stitched pieces to be finished. We’ll see how I do??? LOL

I was also hoping to be able to announce that I have finally finished organizing all of my threads. I’m so close! But sigh, it will take a little longer. I ran out of cleaned containers right before I started organizing my Rainbow Gallery threads. And, ummmm, since I have a few fibers, I’m going to need several (a lot) of containers. Stay tuned and depending on school, work and children activities, I’m hoping I’ll be able to make that announcement soon!

Hope that you are having a great day and that you have found some time to stitch!

Cynthia
Windy Meadow

“Bargello Marquis” by Joan Lohr -- January 6, 2009

The last needlework finish for 2008 is…

“Bargello Marquis” by Joan Lohr for Rainbow Gallery!



This was the June, 2008 Canvas of the Month club from The Stitching Post.

This was a fun stitch and worked up very quickly. I’ve already added several rows of basketweave for finishing around the outside of the design. Now, I just need to journal this project and set it aside for future finishing.

I have several other projects that I’m very close to finishing within the next few days/weeks that I’m looking forward to sharing with everyone. :-)

I’ve also been taking a lot of time to take pictures of many of my needlework ornaments as they are out right now decorating the house for the Holidays. I’m planning on sharing these with everyone and then adding them to my journal entries before they are put away until next year. I think you are going to enjoy seeing how far needlepoint design has come, especially in the last 10 or so years!

Now on to comments and questions.

I enjoyed reading all of your recent comments and everyone especially liked the “Chimney Santa”. He was a very fun stitch and I would highly recommend any of Pat Thode’s projects – “Heartstrings Designs”!

Annemiek asked how I was going to finish the “Chimney Santa”. I’m planning on having him made into a standup figure. I send most of my projects out to a professional finisher as I prefer to spend my time finishing. Yes, I know I can do my own finishing but after spending that much time on a project, I want it to look professional, not amateurish. :-)

Beth asked about my rotation system. I’ll write up a detailed post soon on how I rotate between my projects.

One of my dear friends, Kelly, has started her own needlework blog. Please stop by and say how and welcome Kelly to our needlework blogging world!

http://kellysorts.blogspot.com/

Glad that you stopped by my little blog!

Cynthia
Windy Meadow

“Stars in the Sky” -- November 22, 2008

I’ve finished the May, 2008 Canvas of the Month club. This one is by Margaret Bendig and is offered by the Rainbow Gallery.

I enjoyed stitching this design and it worked up very quickly. I added two additional rows of basketweave using the Old Gold for finishing.


I’ve had several questions about the Canvas of the Month projects. These were offered by The Stitching Post which is located in Catonsville, Maryland. They will be offering a Bargello Christmas Ornament Club again next year. This time you will be able to choose between 18 count canvas or 18 count linen. You can read about the club in their quarterly newsletter at;

http://www.the-stitching-post.com/documents/Newsletter-December2008.pdf

I’ll be signing up for the 2009 club but I need to get the rest of this year’s ornaments done. On to June’s ornament!!!


Comments, Questions, and Answers:

Pierrette,
Since I usually do rotation stitching, the Heartstrings “Chimney Santa” will probably not be finished by the Holidays. He’s actually not that little. He’s apx. 5” by 7” and that doesn’t include the background. Though I might decide to pull him back out again soon! :-)

Thanks for stopping by and I enjoy reading everyone’s comments!

Cynthia
Windy Meadow

“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

“Stitching Update” -- July 21, 2008

I’ve finally had a chance to take some pictures so I can share some progress on my stitching projects. Enjoy!

2. Medium Project: “Candy Swirl Santa” by Janet Zickler Casey
Status: I’ve made some progress on the hat. The first swirl is done and I have the second swirl about ½ done.



3. Small Project:
“Peppermint Stripes” stocking by Joan Lohr April, 2008 Canvas of the Month Club
Status: I’m still working on the body of the stocking. The silver and red vertical stripes work up very quickly. The green stripe is 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.

“Santa” by Cheryl Schaeffer
I started working on this project last Spring but I had to stop as I mixed up two of the threads and had to order both threads. The Alabaster has come in so I was able to finish the mustache and beard. I’m still waiting on the Fancy Fur to finish the pompom on the top of his hat. Since the border is raised, while I’m waiting on the Fancy Fur, I’m stitching about three rows on basket weave so that finisher has a smoother flatter edge for finishing.
Status: Finished mustache and beard.
Started stitching basket weave edge.

8. Gift Stitching
Status: In the last two + weeks I was able to work on DD’s and DH’s ornaments. Pictures and details in January, 2009! :-)

9. Cross Stitch – Yes it’s a sheep!
I started this little piece which is a monthly kit from my LNS and on an earlier post I asked everyone to guess what it was. Kathryn was the first one to guess that it was a sheep! It’s a free chart from Bent Creek “The Little Sheep that Could”. LOL!
Status: I finished the sheep and I’m stitching the swirls on the background.

11. Random Project
“Uncle Sam” by Janet Zickler Casey
I’m a member of the Shining Needle Society and Gay Ann Rogers in her classroom challenged everyone to stitch at least one hour on a project on July 4, 2008. I wanted to stitch on something with a July 4 theme so I pulled out “Uncle Sam”. I took this class from Janet at the 2001 ANG Seminar in Washington, DC. Unfortunately, “Uncle Sam” and my other class piece “North Star Santa” were put away as after I came home, I became sick. :-(

The first picture is how we looked when I pulled him back out again. The second picture is what I was able to complete this past week. He’s going to be put away again, but not for long! :-)
Status: Face completed.

Progress after class completed.

Progress this week.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and you were able to stitch a lot! Thanks for visiting my

blog!!! :-)

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.

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

“Stitching Update #1” -- May 30, 2008

I did make a lot of progress this past week. Much of it was organizing the rotation system, and writing up a very detailed email about teaching children and teens how to do needlework. I did make progress on my different projects and the pictures are from Sunday night.

1. Large Project: “Holiday Patches” by Susan Krendt
I was able to finish stitching two sections of “Tiny Packages” including the outline stitching. Since these are two small areas, you’ll be able to see these two sections if you compare this picture to the previous picture from the May 11, 2008 post.

2. Medium Project: “Candy Swirl Santa” by Janet Zickler Casey
I have most of the first section of his hat covered in the red ribbon floss but its taking a long time to cover the padding as I need to lay the ribbon on both the front and the back of the canvas.

3. Small Project: “Peppermint Stripes” stocking by Joan Lohr April, 2008 Canvas of the Month Club
This past week, it was put on the stretcher bars and on the table while I’m waiting for the threads for the Santa project. I finished the cuff and the silver band right under the cuff. The picture doesn’t show it well as its white and silver on white.

4. Charity/Teaching Needlework
No progress this past week.

5. Organizing Needlework Stash
More items were moved into the “to be documented/sorted/stored pile”.

6. Household Stitching
Fixed my son’s stuffed crab. One side seam came open. :-)

7. Beaded Project: “Moonlight Ghost” (2008) MH188205
2008 Autumn Harvest Pins Collection
This was opened and organized on the table. About 20 stitches in white were stitched. I’ll share a picture when I have more progress as it doesn’t look like much right now. :-)

8. Gift Stitching
These projects were organized into their own tote so it will be easier to grab them when opportunity strikes!

Cynthia
Windy Meadow

“Santa” – Canvas of the Month Club – July, 2004 -- May 6, 2008

Santa” is the July canvas from the Stitching Post’s 2004 Canvas of the Month Club.

Have you ever had a project that is more of a challenge than most? Well this one is mine for this year! I’m not sure when I lost control of this project! :-)

This was kitted by my LNS in 2004. The instructions and the materials were fine. I was able to stitch the border even though it took a while. You stitch a layer of a matte thread for the border. You then stitch over this border with Neon Rays in white skipping stitches which will then be filled in with the red and green Neon Rays. No problem, just a lot of counting. Stitching both whites took a while but adding on the red and green Neon Rays went very quickly. The first picture shows the white matte and Neon Rays stitched with some of the green. The second picture shows all of the red and green Neon Rays. So far so good.

You then stitch Santa in the center. Well the pink of his face took a while but no problem. I then needed to outline stitch and then fill in his hat. Still no problem.

I started this project the weekend ending in March 17, 2008 while visiting a college with my daughter. It’s now well into April and I feel like I’ve been stitching on this piece forever and it’s small! We’ve been very busy with activities and I haven’t had as much stitching time which also added to the feeling that this project was taking forever. Maybe that was the problem. I just wanted to get this one done. :-)

I then started stitching his hat brim but I picked up the wrong thread, Alabaster which is a chainette thread. Now I’m not very found of chainette threads but I do know how to stitch with them and I will use them when a design calls for one. As I was stitching I kept looking at it thinking this doesn’t look right even stopping to ask my daughter what she thought of the Alabaster. Sigh… I should have trusted my stitching instincts and stopped right then and there. Instead I kept on stitching not realizing I should have been using the Fancy Fur for the hat brim and the Alabaster for the beard and mustache. Of course by the time I realized this, it was too late. You can’t rip out a chainette thread and reuse it. Argh!

So off I went this past Saturday to visit my LNS to order more Alabaster. The third picture is of the whole design completed except for his beard and mustache and the hat pompom which will be stitched in Fancy Fur.

Poor Santa has now been placed at the end of the table and he’ll be completed once I receive the Alabaster.

Cynthia
Windy Meadow

“Tiny Treasures” – Canvas of the Month Club, March, 2008

“Tiny Treasures” is the March canvas from the Stitching Post’s 2008 Canvas of the Month Club.

I started stitching this design while spending a weekend visiting a not so local college with our daughter. We had lots of fun sitting around Sunday night in the hotel room working on our projects! I quickly finished it up when we returned home.

“Tiny Treasures” was designed by Cathy Lyon and Marian Morton for Rainbow Gallery.

I enjoyed stitching this canvas and I hope you enjoy the picture!

Cynthia
Windy Meadow

Originally Posted: April 13, 2008

“O’Tannenbaum”– Canvas of the Month Club, August, 2004 -- April 10, 2008

One of my goals is to keep up each month with the 2008 Canvas of the Month club canvases. So far I’m meeting my goal.

Another one of my goals this year is to not only keep up with the Stitching Post’s 2008 Canvas of the Month club but to also stitch at least one canvas each month from the 2004 Canvas of the Month club. So far I’ve found several in my stash from the 2004 club. Once I’m done with these I’m going to have to find the others!

I finished stitching “O’ Tannebaum” in March, 2008. “O’ Tannenbaum” is the August canvas from the Stitching Post’s 2004 Canvas of the Month Club.

“O’ Tannenbaum” was designed by Beth Robertson and Suzanne Howren of Shear Creations for Rainbow Gallery.

I enjoyed stitching this quick canvas and I hope you enjoy the picture!

Cynthia
Windy Meadow

Original Comments:

- This is cute, Cyn, how are you going to finish it?
NC Pat – Needleart Nut

- I love the border! Yes, how will you finish it? Are they all going to be little ornaments for a new Xmas tree?
Jane of Chilly Hollow

Originally Posted: April 10, 2008

Threads and Holiday Trees -- March 27, 2008

Jane asked if I was enjoying using the threads in the canvas of the month club kits.

Yes I do, but I must admit, I am familiar with all of the threads so far as I’m familiar with most thread lines. I’m fortunate that my LNS carries many different thread lines and the rest I can mail order.

I’ve been stitching for many (and I do mean many) years and I have quite a thread collection! Psst… don’t look at the several large plastic storage containers behind that curtain in the corner filled with threads!

I must admit I’m not a big fair of chainette threads as I do find myself using “interesting” language when they start to unravel and yes I know all of the tricks to stitch with them. And sometimes they still unravel!

I will even stitch with rayon threads when I want to achieve a certain look though I usually try to make sure I’m rested and there isn’t a lot of commotion/excitement going on. Now this is not easy to accomplish as we have two wonderful teenagers and their friends in the house. So finding a time when I’m rested and it’s also quiet is just about next to impossible!

I can now hum the theme music to World of Warcraft (yes I have a character, she’s now Level 16 and a Night Elf), and most Nintendo video games!

Jane also asked about my Raven’s tree with Edgar, Alan, and Poe. Well, they are now packed up till next Holiday season so I’ll try to remember to take a picture this year. Edgar, Alan, and Poe are the Raven’s Football team mascots. Ours are stuffed figures about six inches tall. We also have a fun Raven’s snowman which is about 14 inches tall who sits on the base of the table. You can read about the Raven’s mascots, on the Raven’s website at;

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/Ravenstown/Mascots.aspx

The garland on the tree is purple and gold footballs. We also have small Raven player nutcrackers, and small purple and small gold balls. This past year I found purple, white and black candy canes with the Raven’s logo. We also have many buttons from when the Raven’s went through the playoffs and won the Super Bowl.

Now I must admit that we are not big sports fans in this house (please don’t tell our co-workers) but I’ve had lots of fun finding these odds and ends over the years to decorate our tree.

Cynthia
Windy Meadow

Original Comments:

- Threads everywhere? Sounds like my kind of stash! Thanks for the information about the Ravens tree. I love the sound of that. It's great because of all the local connections you celebrate with a tree like that. As for Warcrack, sorry to hear you can hum the music now. Over in Chilly Hollow where the Internet connection is horrible, we only know the theme song for Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion….
Jane of Chilly Hollow

Originally Posted: March 27, 2008