Notes from under the Mountain

HELLO FROM LEE

2012-01-25T21:53:00.000+13:00

Happiness depends on the power to see and enjoy beauty.

I really love this photo by my nephew, David Poole of the little Australian blue wren. I have as the wallpaper on my computor where I can enjoy it every day . I decided to update my signature for this blog and after much playing around on the scanner/computor this is the end result. I have reversed the bird, and am happy about the way he is sitting but possibly have his colour a little bright ? what do you think?

On my other blog 'other side of the mountain' link here I have posted about my dolls' house to share with a friend who has not seen it yet , Today I have only shown the outside of the house and the folk who live there, further postings will explore the house. Do come and visit.

JANUARY IHSW RESULTS

2012-01-24T11:51:00.000+13:00

Had a great start to my taking part in the International Hermit and Stitch Weekend, with a good effort on Saturday and very pleasing progress. I decided to work on the bands of running stitches in the centre and at that stage was going so well I thought I would get it that part all finished by the end of the weekend.

However pride comes before fall and Sunday was a different story, my body was telling me I had sat too long the day before and so little stitching was achieved, even so I am now back working on this piece that has sat untouched for so long. during the month I will try and finish this section so that at next months IHSW I can start on the outer rows.

Hope everyone else made good progress with their stitching will try and visit later.

INTERNATIONAL HERMIT AND STITCH WEEKEND

2012-01-20T12:29:00.000+13:00

I know God will not give me anything I can't handle.

I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.

~Mother Teresa

Life has been very quiet here as we adjust to changes in our lifestyle to cope with Paul's on going health problems. We now know that they will not go away, there is no cure, so it just make some changes and get on with life. I have managed a little stitching but can't show anything yet as they are all for posting out later in the month but all will be revealed in time.

To give myself some extra incentive to stitch I have signed signed for the International Hermit and Stitch Weekends. The first one - January is this weekend. If you want to know more about this weekend where you stitch at home having set your self a project visit Random Ramblings Blog.
the details can be found here.-

I have decided to work on the Latvian Mat from Ann's workshop last year, it would be good to get it finished. Here is what it looks like at this point of time
I will post again at the end of the weekend so you can see my progress. My colour choice is not really tradition colours for this work but as I was having troubles accepting the brighter colours I changes to what i feel i could live with
.

See you again on monday with my progress.

ITS A GOOD DAY

2012-01-07T13:31:00.000+13:00

I'm having a good day and its great to be catching up with everything , so this posting will cover several things.......................
Firstly to Anntte who contacted me re the junior embroiderers group here and offered to send some threads for their use. A BIG THANK YOU to Annette for the parcel that arrived, as you can see it much more than threads.

When the family gathered before Christmas, I let Caitlin as the oldest in the group to open the parcel

( I had had a peep before hand) we have put it all back and will take it to the first stitching afternoon when school goes back in February, so all the group can see what came. There was also something for me in the parcel as well.

Thank you Annette we specially enjoyed the small Christmas scrapbook you made for me. Annette also asked do we decorate the doll's house for Christmas, the answer is yes, here is Sarah and Henry Barker admiring the Christmas tree which has tiny light that work( by power but not turned on for the photo.) Gifts for the Children are put under the tree, there are tiny Christmas cards on the mantlepiece and a holy wreath on the front door.

.....meet their daughters... Emma with her Rocking horse( Scotish pewter) and Caroline with her teddy bear.( English) Ihave a note book in which I have recorded each room of the house and what is in it and where it came from.....BUT as it was in the wet, wet room I can't find where we put it when we rescued everything.

My Stitching Friends December Challenge was to stitch a quadrielle using the outline I had given in my SAL on this blog but with their own choice of designs. I used the one I had stitched for the blog SAL as my challenge and in the end stitched a second one with colour variations.

And here is Lyn's one. I love the ribbons on hers.

And below is Naomi's quadrielle, I was the lucky person to receive this one, she had chosen purple and gold as she kinows I dont like red against my pink walls, not the best photos but I wanted to show the designs she had chosen. I hope to be able to share more of these with you soon

I have just read Mouse's blog and she is stitching on some lovely peachy shade linen... well it just happens my present piece is on a soft peachy- apricot Belfast linen and quess who I am stitching it for?
I leave you with this quote, source unknown.

Today there is a smile floating on the breeze

smile with it because you know it comes from me..........

NEW YEARS DAY 2012.

2012-01-01T21:18:00.000+13:00

Ralph Waldo Emerson.

The New Year has arrive here... an overcast day with out the heavy rain of yesterday...and we have enjoyed a quiet day by the fire.

To all my blogging friends and followers I send you greetings for 2012 may you enjoy each day to the fullest and be blessed in the year ahead

THINGS TO CELEBRATE

2011-12-29T22:28:00.001+13:00

I think if I made a list of all the things I could truly celebrate it would be a long one, and it is good to stop and count ones blessings. At the very top of the list would be 48 years of marriage. Paul and I celebrated our wedding anniversary of December 14th after all the ups and downs of the past few months this Anniversary became very important to us.

As we were 48yrs ago.

We decided to go away for a couple of days.... forget the house, the insurance assessor had been and we know sometime the front room will be pulled apart and new flooring etc will go down meanwhile we have the contents of the room scattered around us, quite depressing at times so we turned our back on it all and took off.
This is what the living room looks like with the dolls house which is taking quite a bit of the space., and this is a tidy room! others have things from the front of the house scattered through them.

Our destination was Wanganui, not too far, just an hour and a half's drive south from here. We had two nights down there and mostly had a relaxing time, although the weather was damp we did enjoy a trip up the river on PS Waimarie, New Zealand last paddle steamer.

Two nights out to dinner were also treats. we chose a motel with a restaurant so it was only a short walk to dinner. An excellent Chef, the meals both nights were outstanding. we need an excuse to go back again.

I am very grateful for all the messages I have received both through the blog and by email, I have yet to answer them all, as sitting at the computor does not agree with my back so I only do short spells at a time, I share with you one message I received......

Life can and will test us with every breath,

beauty can be enjoyed in the moment which we give thanks for.

CHRISTMAS DAY

2011-12-25T22:32:00.001+13:00

Christmas Day here has been a bright sunny day and we (Paul and I) have made the most of it having a quiet restful day enjoying the warmth of the sun and knowing we have God's Blessings..

To all my blogging friends I send you Greeting and Blessing for Christmas may you have just the most perfect day possible with family and friends. Thank you for all the messages received it has helped to know we have had the thoughts and prayers of friends.

Our family phoned to exchange greetings and share news of their travels they are away in their motor home for several weeks. it is the Summer holidays here and school it out till the end of January.

With all the upheaval of the flood and everything moved round the house I have not put up the big tree this year, only this little one has come out and found a corner in the dinning room, In the half light with the lights turned down it glistens and the blue shades look deeper. To me this tree is the Night sky over Bethlehem It just need a star above it.

I wanted something special to share for Christmas and found this in my collection I don't know where I got it from however it is written by Desmond Gilliland........
God made a star and said to all wise men and children wise and all wise women too. Follow the Star throughout another year. Follow with love and hope and faith - how has the journey been for you?
God left a star. Where is the star now at the dark year's turning, with mists of doubt and clouds across the moon?
Yet we move on, from habit and from yearning, glimpsing the star again, and limping on, until, ahead, a huddled shack, a dim light burning, and the clouds part, and we are running, running towards a great Star. Towards the great Star and the starlit stable, Kneeling, we know that life is love. And love is God, and God has come among us!
Outside the star has gone. The sky is dark above. But out of our faith and from the stable's treasure God makes a Star and says to all wise men, and women wise and all wise children too..........
'Follow the Star throughout another year. Follow its light with a step and true. Follow and it will guide you home again'
God makes- Oh Look! A Star.

And in the words we sang this morning... Love came down at Chritmas.

Happy Christmas everyone.

WATER, WATER EVERY WHERE.......................

2011-12-18T21:46:00.000+13:00

You got to look on the bright side, even if there ain't one.

I realise it is a while since my last post however most of what has been happening here does not make a happy post so I will briefly bring everyone up to date then look to the future. We had a lovely few days in Napier with Joan and Denis, very relaxing and what we both needed, as well as my back problems, Paul's health has taken a downward turn. Arrived home and as we retired for the night I was sure I could hear water running....! we found it..... the front room of the cottage was flooded! There is a small hand basin in the room which we have never used in our 11 years here, somehow one tap had come apart and not only was the hand basin full, the water was now coming out like a fountain and I truly I was wading in water. SOS to the family and it took us 2 hours to get everything out

We were not using the room as a bed room, the dolls house was there (no damage thankfully) my second computor (Jan checked it the next day it still works) however fabric stored in cane hampers, papers etc stored in cardboard storage boxes did not fear as well. It took days to sort out and salvage what I could and dry out photos, fabric etc.

The biggest loss was all my research notes specially the Wessex notes, 25 years research and designs and all I managed to salvage was 5 pages. Although I tell myself I am no longer teaching and so dont have such a great need for them, I still felt the loss. My Turkish research was fine and I promise I will share that sometime soon. and the other Workshop designs and notes , and all my genealopg research is out here in a bookcase so safe.

Insurance inspection has declare the floor has to come up and be replaced along with skirting boards etc. so we will be living with the dolls house in the centre of the living room for quite a while yet. With Christmas only a few days now I imagine it will be into January before we see anything done.

I have yet to face sorting out everything that is spread out in our other room and certainly nothing will get stored in cardboard boxes in future they are like blotting paper when it comes to them sitting in water and not all plastic bags and plastic boxes are water tight too,
On the bright side... I have been saying it was time for a good sort out of everything, well now I have no excuses it must be done !!!

Back soon on a brighter note.

UPDATE

2011-11-28T12:41:00.001+13:00

Life's completeness and richness depends on the things we share

with our loved ones and friends

Helen Steiner Rice

My thanks for all the messages I have received, I will try and reply to them shortly but although I am much improved, I am still not comfortable sitting for too long at a time. That should improve now as Paul has bought me a new computor chair......... a really delux executive one,

Among the emails received have been two exciting ones
and I am thrilled to be able to share photos of two finished quadrielles, both from America.
The first is from Annette Navarro, you may have read all Annette's comments on the SAL postings as she kept me informed of all her progress as she stitched it.

and this one below is from Antonina Batalova, her blog is www.listochek-klena.blogspot.com
Well done both of you. I hope you both enjoyed your stitching, now I would like you to email me your postal addresses as I said I would stitch and send a little something to anyone who sent me photo of their finished quadrielle.

On Thursday December 1st, Paul and I will go across to Napier to spend a few days with my sister and her husband and I am looking forward to visiting my favourite Embroidery Shop Heirlooms. This time of the year Sherelyn has a special Christmas display in her lovely old home where her Gallery/shop is situated. Tell you more when I return next week.

EXCHANGE GIFTS RECEIVED

2011-11-20T20:26:00.002+13:00

I cannot count my day complete
'Til needle, thread and fabric meet.
~Author Unknown

I have thought for many years that this summed up my day, my needle has given me much pleasure and stitching is a very relaxing pastime.... till just over a week ago when I found myself not able to do the simplest thing... it seems I must have put something out in my lower back. Enough said, I now have even more sympathy for those who suffer pain and hope by tomorrow to pick up my needle again.
No stitching of mine to share at the moment, but I wanted you to see and enjoy these lovely piece I have received in the last two Stitching Friends exchanges.

This delightful pincushion was made for me by my friend Ann in our Stitching Friends recent pin cushion exchange. It is quite petite only 4cm high, stitched on 40 count linen and the cross stitching of all the little animals is over one thread. Its just too lovely to use .... a real treasure.

The pin keep exchange asked everyone to chose 1 shade of DMC Thread and the challenge was any form of stitching using just that one colour.( beads and extras allowed) I chose 3726 a lovely old world pink and here is what Heather produced for me. Its stump work and all so perfect and the suprise is how well the bronze butterfly blends in. The pinkeep is quite tiny only 6cm across. Her finishing method was different to what I have seen before, inside is layers of wool felt to keep pins from rusting and round the edge she has sewn on narrow ribbon using coral knot stitch.

Back again soon and hopefully stitching

SAL 6... FINISHING

2011-11-10T22:28:00.002+13:00

Now to the exciting part of making up the Quadrielle.... extra care and time here will make the finish look so much better.

If you have used a backing fabric, pin the layers together before you move on to the next step. The red lines shown here are where you now cut, remember there is no seam allowance at the top or the bottom.

Turn the extra material back behind the points do not cut it off, leaving it makes the finish stronger
Now tack round all the edges to hold every thing in place.
Next step in the fold and iron firmly all the lines that form the sides of the boxes, this pressing makes quite a difference to how the finished piece will look.
Join all the points at the top by whip stitching through your backstitches, adding a loop of narrow ribbon at the top for hanging , dont make this too small as you will be attaching ribbons to it later
.

Join the points at the bottom the same way, this time adding a length of the same narrow ribbon you will use to finish. Finally before sewing up the side stuff your quadrielle, (avoid overstuffing as that will make the sides bulge.)

Take two lengths of narrow ribbon , dont cut, but make two large loops and two tails, stitch together at the top to hold in place then stitch them to the tail on your quadrielle near the base.

Next take 2 lengths of organza ribbon and tie them on just above (or on top ) of where you stitched the narrow ribbon on, finish with a generous bow, turn the quadrielle round and tie on 2 further organza ribbons... this make two bows back to back.

Finish by adding to small bows at the top. Feel free to change the ribbons if there is something you like better.

.I look forward to hearing when you have completed your piece and I will stitch a small reward for anyone who sends me a photo of their finished quadrielle.

If this has been fun, then we might do another SAL next year.

SAL Part 5

2011-11-07T22:21:00.005+13:00

The stages of stitching the centre designs.

1: the circle drawn in the centre form a guideline for the three rows of gold thread that are twined round to represent a willow wreath add one row at a time couching down as you go.

2: Chain stitch (Daisy stitch) leaves in dark green these represent holly leaves. I work with 3 larger groups with 1 or 2 small groups in between I avoid using 4 large groups as this tends to make the design look square.
Also I dont try and make each of the wreaths inside the 4 squares exactly the same, I like a more natural look, and it makes placing the stitches easier.

3: Next add groups of red beads to represent the berries. I stitch each bead on twice, it does take more time but it is worth while as they do sit so much better... and use red thread to stitch them on with.
On my first one I added a few gold beads but there are none on this present one I hope to find more when we shop this friday.

4: groups of straight stitches using one strand of blue green floss is now added to finish the wreaths... these hopefully look like sprays of pine needle.

Finish by adding some gold paillettes or tiny sequins.

Now all that is left is the construction to finish........ Posting again soon.

SAL Part 4

2011-11-04T22:52:00.000+13:00

The next stage is to add the heavier Gold thread to create the circle for the christmas wreath design in the centre of each square. A few couching stitches are used to hold it in place. This is done in 3 stages. the first time round use, the pencil drawn circle as a guide line and try to cover it.

Dont worry if at this stage it does not look like a perfect circle as the shape will alter as you add two more rows. let these rows twist a little rather than have 3 straight row. Don't try and make all four circles the same, the thread often has a mind of its own and this can add to your design. I think it adds to the look if all the circles look quite natural and not to stiff and exact.

I hope this will be enough to keep you working, as tomorrow we go quite some distance to collect son after he finishes a mountain bike race and bring him back here, we will then have just under 24 hours of his company..... so after he leaves on sunday I will post the rest of the stitching instructions.

Annette, I am enjoying your comments that are keeping me up to date with your progress, can you email me groatieburn@xtra.co.nz as I would love to send a private message in return.
Happy stitching

SAL Part 3

2011-11-03T22:32:00.001+13:00

We now come to the exciting part of adding the design. Stitch the motifs on the top and bottom sections first.

These motif are form by first stitching four long armed chain stitch
also known as Daisy stitch. (my choice was a soft green thread as I did not want the motifs to dominate and catch the eye.)

Make the centre of these stitches 1cm from the centre square.

The straight stitches are added using a fine gold thread, then add a gold bead in the centre and a few paillettes or small sequins to finish. Stitch all these parts the same.

Before moving on the the centre squares add a backing of calico or light cotton fabric, this is to support the weight of the beads, a few invisible tacking stitch will hold this in place. To make the stitches, invisible use sewing thread the same colour as your fabric and stitch and slide your stitches under the back stitch lines. It does not take a lot of stitches to hold the backing fabric in place and it will be anchored further as you stitch the centre design

I will be back tomorrow to continue, meanwhile happy stitching

SAL PART 2

2011-11-02T21:46:00.002+13:00

All the lines shown here in green need to be backstitched. I backed stitched over 4 threads using the same colour for all of this and when it came to the second inner row on the squares I left a space of 4 threads.... but remember the choice is yours.
I am now stitching one that has deep yellow for the main outlining and then the inner squares are stitched in red and green alternating. the colours, will look very festive I think finished.. will keep you posted on the result.

Here is the easy method I used to make the points top and bottom,

I found the centre of each by counting my back stitches and then carefully drew pencil lines which I stitched over- try to make the stitches an even size as it is not possible to count threads here.
Don't make these stitches too big, smaller stitches will make the construction finish neater.
In the centre of each square I drew a circle approx 2.5cm or 1inch across. I found an empty plastic spool that DMC Perle 8 threads come on excellent to trace arround these pencil lines will be covered later.

Will be back tomorrow with the next part till then happy stitching

SAL PART 1.

2011-11-01T07:57:00.001+13:00

You may use any count fabric you wish, it does need to be an even weave to make stitching the outlines neater.
My sample is worked on 40 count permin linen but it would work equally as well on 28, 32, or 36 count.

The finished size of the stitching before it is made up is- 22 x 12cm (approx 9 x 5 inches) but it is easier to work on a slightly larger piece of fabric. The same size piece is needed which ever count you decide to use.

You will also need-
Threads colour of your own choice for all the outlines.
(I used some scraps I had of DMC Flower thread 2725)
2 shades of green dark and light bluegreen.
gold thread in 2 thicknesses-
fine for adding paillettes and beads and couching the heavier thread.
gold and red beads.
gold paillettes (flat sequins) or tiny sequins.( here in NZ I can buy tiny ones on a long thread.)
calico or cotton for backing and a selection of ribbons.
Tacking thread.

Do feel free to make changes to colours of threads, ribbons and beads, you may have something you would rather use.

Preparation
Select your material and tack up ready as shown here.
There is 1cm seam allowance at each end (none top and bottom)
The centre squares are 5 x5 cm ( 2x2 inches) and the top and bottom ones are 5 x 3.5cm (2 x1 1/2 inches)

I will continue to post the parts of the SAL at intervals over the week, it is quite quick to make once the preparation is done.

SHARING and a S.A.L

2011-10-30T22:10:00.001+13:00

This year the our two Daphne birkwoodii bushes have been a mass of blooms, this later flowering Daphne has a softer perfume and I have enjoyed sharing these lovely sprays with others. Caitlin and I managed to make 44 little posies over several days, before the rain came ( yet again!)

One of our church members is a hospital chaplain at one of the local rest homes, she took away the first basket of posies with her on her weekly visit. The others took them to folk we knew in the other two rest homes and the final basket full went with me to church last Sunday and there were shared with those present. I feel very blessed that I was given such an abundance of blooms and through others have been able to share them.

Now I have something I would like to share with you all.

My stitching friends group have had a Mystery SAL We were given the instructions for making the shape and from there the choice of design was our own. This is my finished one.... a Christmas Quadrielle and I am delighted with how easy it was to make and how it turned out, so I have decided to share how to make one like this as a SAL. on this blog. I am now on my second one and have ideas for others, these are fun to make. The stitching is very simple it includes back stitch, chain stitch some couching and lots of beads! so if you are interested in making one drop by tomorrow for the first of the instructions

.

HALLOWEEN EXCHANGE

2011-10-13T12:22:00.000+13:00

I have just learnt that the halloween ornament exchange piece I sent has arrived, I am always nerves till I know the postman has made the delivery, although only once has a piece gone astray, sometimes they take simply ages to get to their destination. The design I stitched is a Sue Hillis design called Best Witches and was a freebie from hancockfabrics.com. I have since found another version of the design of this witch design at http://www.suehillisdesigns.net/ look under freebies.

Along with the witch ornament , I sent a tiny " trick or treat bag" with a tiny felt owl inside.
I have been making some of these small owls, they are about 6cm tall and a handy project to have, to stitch in the car. I started making them, to go on the bags for our junior stitchers, then I came up with the idea of a Halloween Owl, the first Halloween Owl has arrived in its new home in Canada, the next one is ready to fly to its new home and if you visit my other blog there is a third one waiting to find a new home.

It must be today's weather, the light is not good for photography and this photo does not show
the true colours of the biscornu I received from Sandrine in France, in the Halloween exchange. the fabric is soft apple green and I just love the smiling faces of the little witches. I have it hanging by my computor so I can enjoy it.

WESSEX STITCHERY NEWS

2011-10-10T23:14:00.000+13:00

Wessex Stitchery news and a good book!

I often get enquiries as to where one can find out more about Wessex Stitchery, so its good that I can share with you, about a new publication that has a really good write up on Mrs Margaret Foster and her work, Wessex Stitchery. My friend Lyn in Christchurch alerted me first, Lyn had been in the very first Wessex workshop I had taught way back in the early 1990's and continues today to stitch and share her love of Wessex Stitchery. Having borrowed a new embroidery book from the library she was delighted to find quite a large section inside on her favourite work and promptly email the news to me. Just when I had decided I would have to request it on inter loan, Ann from Whitianga arrived to visit and had brought THE BOOK down for me to read.
The book is.......

Early 20th Century Embroidery Techniques by Gail Marsh and it was published in UK in 2011. Ann also brought with her the other books in the series 18th Century Embroidery Techniques and 19th Century Embroidery Techniques. I had a wonderful time just looking at the books there was so much to take in, and although the work many of the embroiderers written up in the 20th Century book was known to me through previous research I was constantly finding new things. Another one who is mention is Louisa Pesel I have a copy of a very old book of her designs and have used it so many times when designing samplers. Yes I have now bought myself a copy (and delighted to get it for almost half price) I have since bought the other two and are now waiting their arrival.

Anyone interested in Wessex Embroidery, I do recommend you see if your library has a copy, just to be able to see more of Mrs Foster's work and to read about the embroiderer herself.

OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN

2011-10-03T20:36:00.000+13:00

I have just launched a new blog "Other side of the mountain" I invite you to drop by sometime,
you will find it at-http://othersideofthemountain-lee.blogspot.com/

I will still be here writing NOTES FROM UNDER THE MOUNTAIN as usual... meanwhile its back to the stitching I am putting together a wall hanging from blocks that the children at Jan's school have made.
I'm over the hard part, using the sewing machine... I am a hand stitcher and I am sure the machine knows it!!!! and so I have problems with tension etc etc. Now I am handstitching the binding down and its heaven, reminds me I must finish my quilt sometime ( I wont say how many years ago it was started)

MY PIECE

2011-09-27T22:27:00.002+13:00

My latest little bag, is what I sent to the Regional Exhibition, the theme for the exhibition was Celebration and I called my piece "Birthday Gift for a Tudor Princess." The work is not really what would have been stitched in Tudor England, although small bags were popular gifts, I wanted to create something that suggested a very special gift with lovely beads, pearls and stones tucked in between the stitching. The shape is also different from what I have done in the past and I think could be improved on, however I love the way the edging at the top came out and what you cannot see is the petite bead that are stitch on the whipped bars. The M on the back with the gold crown is for Mary Tudor all part of the fun of designing, is planning it with someone in mind.

CAITLINS BIRD FINISHED

2011-09-24T08:21:00.000+12:00

Here is Paul, the proud Grandad photographing Caitlin's piece,
he had just finished framing it. Caitlin has called her piece "Bird Song"

The Exhibition opened yesterday, so I feel I can now show off her completed piece.
I will sort the photos and post the piece I sent later.

Caitlin has another piece of blackwork in the planning stage, she has really enjoyed this work, as has all the children in the Junior Embroiderers'group here.

SPRING

2011-09-16T20:51:00.002+12:00

Spring has finally arrived with first a lovely showing of crocuses in the garden followed by the miniature daffodils, if only...... the weather was kinder and I could get outside more to enjoy them.

Not much stitching that I can show at present, all the pieces have gone off to the Regional exhibition , I am very proud of what the children's group have achieved. The exhibition opens on the 23rd of this month and after that I will share with you, Caitlin's finished piece and my bag.

I have finally mounted the little bunny, another floss thread tag, see my posting for May 6th, if you would like the chart. I have been unable to work out how to link back to previous postings, if anyone is able to share how to do this I would be most grateful. I can work out how to link to other web sites.

Stitching at the moment is items for exchanges and I have started stitching my P.I.Fs. These too, I can share with you later.I think part of the fun of exchanges is searching for a design to stitch, I always end up with not one but several things saying....stitch me.
If only there was more free time....................

here is the link http://notesfromunderthemountain.blogspot.com/2011/05/stash-or-stacks.html
thank you Annie for your help

HUSSIF FOR JAN

2011-09-01T21:51:00.000+12:00

A new month and a new begining.

Some time ago when I made Rachel's hussif,( which I have shown here)
my daughter Jan, commented that someone else would like a hussif - meaning herself. Jan had some years ago had made herself a hussif at one
of the workshops I had taught at Coromandel Guild, so I asked her what she wanted in a new hussif and her reply was one with all the tiny flowers I stitch on it.

The first piece I stitched with the tiny cross stitch flowers was in 1986, when I made a writing case for my mother when she moved into a rest home. After her death that piece came back to me and in 1991, I stitched for myself a hussif as a companion piece, this was followed in 1992 with my workbox that I have shown previously on my blog.

The hussif I use now was stitched much later again with the little flowers that I love.
The first flowers I stitched came mainly from the Danish designs, slowly I added to my collection from other sources and then added a few designs of my own, now I stitch often by memory making the flowers grow where I want them on the fabric.

The challenge will be to make this hussif my best one ever, I have the linen ready Permin 35 count Lambswool and today I started the planning, and I will share with you the making of this project- I have given myself 6 months to complete it.

MORE BLACKWORK

2011-08-27T12:52:00.000+12:00

I have often quoted.......My day is not complete till needle and fabric meet.

Having not stitched for nearly two weeks, can you imagine the withdrawal symptoms I have been having. I am please to report health is nearly restored and yesterday I was sitting happily stitching once more and although I am not stitching black work at the moment I wanted to share some more about it with you.

Another group I work with, are also enjoying stitching blackwork at present. A small group of ladies come through from New Plymouth once a month and study count thread embroidery with me, some of the group are stitching a Blackwork Mystery Sampler Bellpull I designed some time ago and at the time was stitched by several Guild groups When designing it, I stitched a small portion to see if the design would work and my good friend Ann finished the piece and the sampler is hers, she lent it to me recently and I took some photos of the different sections its quite long, so difficult to fit it all in and get a good photo.

It is designed so that the embroiderer can make her own choice of which designs to stitch and if she prefers to just stitch one or all of them.

I have decided I would like to share this sampler with anyone interested in blackwork embroidery. The notes are about 18 pages, with instructions, drawings and patterns. I will include copies of some of the photos. I am not selling this but would like to make it an exchange If anyone interested would like to exchange a cross stitch pattern they have finished with for the notes, then contact me with your postal address and I will have a set of notes on the way to you.

IT'S SNOWING AGAIN

2011-08-15T08:55:00.000+12:00

The weather forcast predicted wide spread snow again and that included Stratford again! two snow falls in town in one winter almost unheard of, so yesterday Caitlin between stitching made me a heading photo using one of the photos taken a couple of weeks back. here is what greeted us when we got up this morning ........

truly winter wonderland right at the front door.

and looking out the backdoor.

Little hedgehog is burried deep in snow I cant see him this morning.

A very big thank you to all who posted comments when Caitlin put the first photo of her blackwork bird on my blog. stitching the tail feathers were a real struggle and there was a bit of reverse stitching (unpicking) too. After reading all the comments yesterday morning she was determine to finish so she could blog the results before she had to go home.. Thank you all for the encouragement.

CAITLIN'S BIRD UPDATE

2011-08-14T14:44:00.001+12:00

Here is the end of the weekends work. The feet were easy to stich and they came out nicely. The tail of my bird was a competely different story. I found the tail a hard thing to do. I kept on forgetting to go on a angle and so it took a bit longer than I thought it would. The out come of it I think looks lovely. All thats left is to put lichen on his branch and a leaf or two droping down from it. Grandma will post the finshed bird at the end of the month.

Caitlin

BLACKWORK EMBROIDERY 1.

2011-08-12T19:42:00.000+12:00

A lot happening with Blackwork here at present although this time I have not done one stitch! The group of Junior stitchers at our guild ages ranging from 8-13 years have now all finished their blackwork owl. Our main project for the year is a bag with four pockets on the outside we have taken the theme of Owls and each pocket will show the owl using different stitches. Some will finish all four pocket however I can see the slower stitchers will have 2 embroidered pockets and 2 plain. This term everyone is working on their piece for the coming Regional Embroiderers Exhibition. Four of the children have elected to stitch blackwork for their piece, we had a very busy afternoon with them this week and have till the end of the month for the pieces to be completed.

Grand-daughter Caitlin is spending the weekend with us, so as to have some catch up time with her piece, she is doing one of our native small birds, a South Island Tomtit. It is progressing well, but now up to the tricky part of stitching the tail feathers. I have found it works well to make a copy of different stages using a photocopier, then let them draw on the picture so they have an idea what they want to stitch.

Comment from Caitlin who has been playing with different settings on the computer and the photo shw took of her of her work.

I have enjoyed stiching this bird. I love the way he is turning out so far. In junors I have two friends who are also working on Blackwork as well . My friend Paige is doing a blackwork Rooster. He is looking lovely. My other friend Nikita is working on a Black work cow. It's little but I think it will turn out looking out lovely in the end. We also have anther little girl in the class called Sarah-Lee, who has only been stching for a couple of years and is at the moment tackling a big blackwork puppy. He is coming along nicely but I don't think it will be made in time to go to the regional exhibition but luckly she made a back up pup done in cross stitch and her big piece will go to next years national exhibition. It is a border collie called Jackson. It came out amzing and I love it.

Caitlin started stitching at the age of 5 years and continues to enjoy her embroidery. other piece have been shown on past postings. Here is a close up of the stitching on her bird.

Till next time when I have more to share on blackwork.

FROM MY WINDOW

2011-08-03T08:51:00.002+12:00

My new window allows me to watch the small wax-eyes birds. feeding on the calicarpa berries. Delightful to watch but most difficult to photograph as they move so quickly about the bush and any shadow of a movement will send them flying off.

Do you know the calicarpa berries ? ( think they are called Beauty Berries in America) they are tiny and a rich purple shade, each year I allow myself to pick some branches to have in the house and also include some it the flower arrangement in the foyer at church so others might enjoy them too, however the rest are left for the enjoyment of the wax-eyes, and as the weather gets colder they strip the bush of the berries.

One year, the guild Challenge was "From my Window". For my piece I chose to stitch the wax eye birds in the silver birch tree that I use to watch from the window seat at our Coromandel home.

I stitched each piece separately on calico, it was the first time I had used this method, rather like the slips stitched in Elizabethan times, where pieces were stitched then cut out and added to the main piece, this also meant if one bird did not come up just right I had not ruined the whole piece of my work. These were more needlepainting pieces than stumpwork I had several reference books showing the birds beside me as I stitched, It is not a good idea to rely on only one source as colour can vary with different printing methods.For this piece I also had a dead bird to look at, it is amazing the different shading that makes up the feathers, I did not have enough different shades in my embroidery threads.
Stitched with one thread of stranded thread many different shades and lots of tiny straight stitches. The branch is from the silver birch tree with a coat of varnish to help preserve it and the tiny leaves once stitched were stiffened before being cut out. I did not buttonhole the edge as I wanted to give it a natural look and the stiffener, I used a liquid product "Stiffy"to make them very firm.

As you can see I have been testing what I can do with the camera and then on the computor.

Here is a close up shot to show the detail of the stitching on one bird. he is 7cm just under 3 inches

I have taught this method and those doing the project- a bird of their choice found it was not as hard to do as they imagined. There are more of my birds in the album on the right, as you can see I really do enjoy stitching them.

Have a happy dayand hope you can find a quiet time to stitch..

I KNOW IT'S WINTER BUT !!!

2011-07-25T17:21:00.001+12:00

I know its winter and there is snow on the mouintain (if I could see it for the clouds) The snow is now down well past what is showing at the top of my blog. This is what greeted us this morning, This is the first time we have had a heavy fall of snow in our part of town !

Pretty to look at but oh so cold !

GIVE-AWAY RECEIVED

2011-07-23T23:04:00.001+12:00

I can share with you now what I sent to Lynn B, who was the winner of my blog anniversary give-away draw I waited till they were posted on Lynn's blog.
As it was my second anniversary I said it would be two small gifts in the embroidered bag, one item would be stitched in a DMC colour chosen by the winner. Lynn chose DMC 603 pink and the flowers on the notebook cover were stitched in that shade. The second item in the little bag was one of my embroidered hearts with pulled thread work and bullion rosebuds.
I also tucked in the parcel a little pomegranate fob as a special thank you to Lynn for introducing several folk to my blog.
Do look at the photos on Lynns blog.http://happinessiscrossstitching.blogspot.com/ She has said I could copy them but I really think its better if everyone visits her blog, however I have copied the pomegranate I have not been able to show any of the ones I have made, in such a clear close up.
Thank you Lynn.

FINISHES

2011-07-21T20:06:00.001+12:00

When I was in Coromandel last month Ann and I had planned a stitching project., we had decided to stitch Kalina's SAL "Winters Tale"" as found here-http://kalina-kalinovivishivanki.blogspot.com/. Unfortunatly I arrived with a heavy head cold that made stitching impossible so I started my piece after I came home and now that I have finished it am posting it so Ann can see my effort.
It is a really lovely piece to stitch, Ann had done several. it is shown on Kalina's blog in 5 parts with very good graphs and stitch by stitch photos.

This view shows the lovely crystal I have hanging down the centre.

If you down load the instuctions on any freebie chart do note they are for yourself and if your friends want to stitch them too, give them the link so they can down load it for themselves. There are a few web sites that state their freebies may be used for a for group projects or newsletter.So always check before sharing charts around among your friends.
I'm off to start a new project , will share when there is enough to see........

MESSAGE FOR JANE

2011-07-21T19:47:00.000+12:00

Message for Jane Mactavcish- Hi Jane I have received all your emails and replied to them on the day I received them, but think there must be a glich in the email system !!!
care to send me an email with your postal address and I will snail mail you the inmformation you want.
Kind regards

GIFT FOR ANN

2011-07-12T14:06:00.000+12:00

Ann and I both stitch the same sorts of things , we are always sharing new ideas or bouncing thoughts from one to the other, so when it came to deciding what to stitch for her special birthday, it was hard to find a small item to stitch that she would not have seen. I finally settled for a scissor holder, quite different, I used the basic idea and added my own choice of designs. It was the type of mounting that
appealed to me about this piece.

Living in a small country town means limited embroidery supplies here, I have the full range of DMC but other threads I have to send away for. Sherelyn of Heirlooms in Napier sent me a selection of silks to choose from, that was hard they were all so lovely. I chose the Thread Gather silk Thread Dried Roses for the satin stitch diamonds round the edge and with it DMC 3726 , I would like to use this combination again sometime as I was pleased with the result.
You may recognise the design on the pocket, I have shown it sometime ago stitched on a Thread Tag, I reversed the pattern so it would be facing the correct way to fit on the pocket.

I am about to go to Junior Embroiderers group, they are all busy working on their pieces for the coming Regional Exhibition. Most of them are doing Blackwork, we did a piece of blackwork earlier in the year and it was great to see how well they coped stitching it. I also have a group of Ladies who travel down from New Plymouth once a month to study with me, mostly count thread work and currently some of them are stitching my blackwork sampler. Will share photos of this soon of that sampler which I am happy to share with others.

GUILD RETREAT

2011-07-07T16:17:00.000+12:00

As promised I would share something of my trip to Coromandel for the Coromandel Embroiderers Guild Retreat. Coromandel from here is about five and a half hours travel. Paul and I traveled up on the Wednesday before, to be able to have time with Colleen who we were staying with and Ann came over to stay as well so there was extra sharing time. When ever Ann and I manage a short time together we try to fit in a special project, last time it was the pomegranate fobs, and the time before that we did the pincushions.

This time we planned to stitch the delightful little bell SAL "Winter's Tale"seen on Kalina's blog-
http://kalina-kalinovivishivanki.blogspot.com/ if you want to see the photo visit her blog and you will find it on the right hand side of the page. Ann started her piece, unfortunately I arrived in Coromandel with a cold and a drippy nose so no stitching for me for the first couple of days. I will however finish it.

The Guild Retreat started on the Friday night at Tangiaro Kiwi Retreat at Port Charles. Port Charles is an hours drive north from Coromandel and this is the first time the retreat had been held there. we arrive at 5.30pm and as it is winter here, it was getting dark and to add to that it was a cold damp evening, so I was delighted to go in to my lodge to find it lovely and warm with a fire going .

Tangiaro Kiwi Retreat is set in the bush, a lovely peaceful area, we enjoyed not only the very comfortable lodges but the wonderful meals, and for those of us who normal don't eat morning and afternoon teas- the temptation was too much!. Some of the ladies took advantage after class of the Spa or had a massage.
The damp weather prevent the evening bush walk to see the Kiwis, however one of our guild members who lives near by came in to talk about the work being done in the area to save these very special birds.
If you want to see more visit   http://www.kiwiretreat.co.nz/

Ann and I, as Tutors each had our own lodge, what luxury!  During the day the living area in each of our lodges were used for the classes. My class ended up being very small, but we still had a lot of fun. I was sharing with them how to make one of my pocket bags, Pocket for Titania .

This is the start of Heather's bag she chose Christmas for her theme, I am looking forward to seeing the finished piece.
I took all my little pocket bags up for the workshop to give different ideas and started a new pocket  something quite different I will share this with you in another posting.

I would love to go back up there again sometime and relax in those lovely surroundings. and have been dropping LARGE hints!!

I'm off now to sit by the fire and stitch.

MY THREAD (FLOSS) TAG

2011-07-02T11:27:00.000+12:00

Annie asked how I constructed my fobs I am happy to share and hoope this is of use to someone.

When I stitched the thread tag above, I was presented with a problem in that I had stitched my design using a lovely Sampler thread called Briar Rose, and I could not match it to make a cord , I did however have some silk fabric that was a perfect match. I have mounted it so that the silk shows round the edge, and am pleased with the result.

To make a Thread tag this way you need two pieces of cardboard, first cut one piece of card on which to mount your embroidered piece. Mount this first, using the thin wadding behind the stitching.

The second piece of card is now cut slightly bigger, and covered with your backing fabric. mitre the corners, remembering these will be on the front. (Do not pad this piece)

Fold and stitch a small strip of fabric for the loop… ribbon may be used, glue this in place. Now glue your mounted embroidered piece on the front.

Look back at my last posting and take a closer look at the thread tag that Joan sent me.
She used a neat way of making sure she mounted everything straight, by backstitching in a contrasting colour where she wanted to fold in, and leaving it there as part of the design. Here is the back view of her tag which has a special touch with a border enclosing her message.

Today the mountain looks just like the photo at the top of my blog.... a good day for sitting by the fire and stitching.

FOLLOWERS TO MY BLOG

2011-07-01T09:47:00.000+12:00

Its always fun to open up my blog and find another follower had added herself to my friends list, this time on returning home after a week away I find not one new friend but ten! WOW not sure how you all found me but welcome I hope you will always find something to enjoy here. As many of my followers do not have blogs where I can visit and get to known you, I invite you to email me and introduce yourself I would love to hear from my new friends.

I need to catch up on a few mundane things before I have time to share my weekend with you.. it was just great...... so that will be next time.

Stitching friends exchange this time was a Thread Ring Tag ( Floss ring tag) my exchange partner I was to stitch for was Ann and as we were together at the weekend I did not post it but took it up to her, Its always fun to see peoples faces as they open up parcels. ( I also took up her birthday gift but left that for her to open on the day, so will show you what I stitched after the date)

This lovely design is from Danybrod creations http://dany88.canalblog.com/ I printed off the chart a long time ago and when looking for something to stitch for Ann it seemed just right, now I think I might stitch it again this time for myself. I chose for mounting, the dark red silk that Ann had used when making her pomegranate.

I received this delightful rose design thread ring tag from Joan in the same exchange and promptly put it to use. I find these a most useful needlework accessory and Paul cuts the cardboard thread holders for me.

Have you ever lost yourself in the middle of stitching a pattern ? I don't know how it happened by when stitching "Little Miss Witch"a freebie from Krienik threads. I did just that so rather than re stitch it a little camouflaging was needed. I also changed the hair colouring to match Maree's who I made it for. The chart is still available http://www.kreinik.com/index.html look under free Halloween cross stitch patterns.

Back again soon.

AND THE WINNER IS...................

2011-06-20T22:57:00.000+12:00

Here is the result of the draw for my Blg Anniversary give-a-way.......... The luck number is 4

the fourth person to leave a comment was Lynn B, Congratulations Lynn please send me your postal address. I will be away till Tuesday next week, but will take my stitching and some

pink thread no. 603 which is Lynn's chosen colour, and have something stitched ready to post out in the little bag on my return.

Found this on a sampler on someone's blog and forgot to take a note of the source but is ideal quote for me this week-

Wherever I go

what ever I do

I'm never alone

my stitching comes to.

and its all packed and ready to go......... back again next week.

SUE"S BIRTHDAY GIFT.

2011-06-17T08:48:00.002+12:00

My niece Sue is the first in her generation of our family to reach the big 50. I decided to stitch something small that I hoped would be a real treasure.. Here is what I stitched. I really enjoyed Ann B's resent workshop "Latvian Inspired mat"and with some help from Ann I used latvian designs on the piece I created for Sue. These rich blue tonings with the touch of rust came up really well, and it was a very enjoyable piece to stitch. I stitched on 40 count permin linen and the blues were DMC 3808 & 3810, the rust is 920.

The whole item is made in one piece and then folded up.

This last photo is one of Ann's sample pieces she stitched torecord patterns when designing her mat it is not the mat we atitched at the workshop.
I an making good progress on my little list, It is interesting to read what everyones favourite colours is. There is still time to enter my blog anniversary give away see the previous post for details.

I'M CELEBRATING.

2011-06-11T12:51:00.000+12:00

I'm celebrating my second blog anniversary with a give-a-way, and I have been stitching the small bag shown above, it will be finished ready tonight and will be the holder for my gift. I like surprises, so at this stage what is going inside will remain a secret, there will be two stitches items ( as this is my second anniversary) and a few extras.

If you would like to go in the draw for this give-a-way all you need to do is as follows.

Be a follower of my blog.

IVÉ GOT A LITTLE LIST

2011-06-09T16:16:00.001+12:00

"Ive got a little list. Ive got a little list" says the Lord High Executioner in the Mikado, and that list is possible a worry for some of the characters. in the opera..........................
I have been executing (stitching) my little list and that is what has kept me busy for the last few weeks. Yesterday two birthday gifts left in the post and then last night I finished stitching a piece for an exchange, it is now ready for mounting. Today I started on another birthday gift and there still remains two more items on my list to be completed by the end of the month. I will share them with you as soon as they reach their destinations.
Meanwhile tomorrow is my blog anniversary... two years... and what a lot of friends I have made. I will have a special posting to mark the occassion ... meanwhile its back to the stitching.

ROLL OVER AND....

2011-05-18T11:28:00.001+12:00

'Roll over little one and go to sleep, winter is coming'

Dianne has just sent me this photo of my piece as it was displayed at the Guild Challenge last night.

The background pattern was printed with the computer onto calico and one leaf was stitched to highlight it. The acorns were recycled from a piece call necklace for Nutkin that my cat pulled apart a few years ago.

NEEDLE PAINTING.

2011-05-17T12:03:00.002+12:00

A week ago, I attended a two day workshop on Silk Shading, this is my second attempt to learn this type of embroidery work. In 1998 I also attended a Silk Shading Workshop, however I was carried away with my subject and the result was really needle painting . That piece was "Little Bunnies" This was followed by another needle painting, of little goslings, both these were taken from Marjolein Bastin paintings. Having found how enjoyable this type of stitching was I did several more pieces all, these were all birds,( see my album.)

Over the years I have done a little sketching and dabbled in watercolours and needle paint seemed to follow quite naturally. I enjoyed the small animals and birds, fur and feathers seem to lie easily in the stitching. Silk Shading calls for more discipline ! After 10 hours stitching I have only one petal and one leaf of my poppy done I will show this when there is a little more stitching done.

Meanwhile this week I have been back to the needle painting stitching a piece for our Guild Challenge for tonight. The challenge asks for a piece, postcard size - 15 x 10cm and any form of stitching. The design to be formed from 2 lines in any direction, superimposed with 7cm circle. and wotked in any technique we like.I have finished but yet to take a photo of the piece, it is a very dull day here and I dont like photographing embroidery using a flash, so I will post a photo of it later, meanwhile here is what I did for my 7cm circle, this I copied in the scanner. The background has the minimum amount of stitching, as you will see later

STASH OR STACKS

2011-05-06T22:07:00.001+12:00

I look when other people show their stash- me I have STACKS, stacks of paper, research notes, sketches, drafts for class notes, design drawings and more and more, need I go on you can imagine the paper pile and its not just one pile but several.

Now I am not teaching I am slowly working my way through and deleting as much as possible !

I did find this little drawing I had made of a rabbit, he was on a Christmas card that came from England some years ago, I had sketched him onto graph paper no doubt the intention was some time to chart him.
He was really calling out to be stitched and that was much more interesting than sorting papers, they have waited this long, a bit longer won't make much difference.
Here he is, I have stitched him from the drawing. and then I charted what I had stitched. The chart is here too in case anyone would like to stitch him.

And here is WIP I am stitching the background with a Sampler Thread from The Gentle Art Co. called Gold leaf. While I was stitching I remembered how to stitch a shaded background if you want it to go from dark to light. Divide the background into 5 sections cross wise. Chose three shades of one colour and stitch using 2 threads. the bottom section is stitched in the darkest shade, then next section is stitched use one strand of the dark shade and one of the medium together. part three is just the medium shade, then for the fourth section one strand of medium and one of the light, finally the top is two strands of the lightest shade. This makes a lovely soft shading.

Not quite finished.... next I will need to find something to back him with... finished item will appear at a later date.

RECYCLING PROJECT

2011-05-03T08:59:00.000+12:00

Earlier in the year I listed a few items I really wanted to stitch included was an embroided cover for my bible.

In truth the cover on my bible was not going to hold together much longer and needed some very strong and somewhat ugly tape to give it support. I had drawn up a design I thought I would like to stitch but thats as far as I got.... then the cord holding up my "Love is" piece broke and the embroidered picture came tumbling down.

I have always liked this piece- the design came from an old Christmas card that I found some time in the 70's and would you believe it I kept it for 20 years, This was stitched in 1997 and had great support from Jack my picture framer who cut the mat while I was stitching it and was able to check as I went along that everything was placed correctly. Now all these years later sadly the mat was looking faded and I had the inspiration to take the embroidery out of the frame and recycle it.

I have mounted it onto deep blue velvet, the velvet was some scarps I had from when the Elders chairs at St Andrew's Church Coromandel where re-covered, and added to making my new book cover special. I'm not sure if the threads had faded slightly, but it was hard to find something to match to make a cord I finally found a Pearsalls 'Filo-Floss' Stranded silk. Here is the finished cover.

MAY 1st

2011-05-01T22:55:00.000+12:00

Its May 1st and I said I would announce today who had won my Easter give away. Thank you all who left a comment the numbers were quite overwhelming.
Caitlin was with me last week while we planned her next piece of embroidery and we discussed how I would do the draw. I decided to make it her age- she is 13 years old and counting down to the 13th comment left on the Easter Giveaway posting I am happy to tell Pam she is the winner.

Pam please send me an email with your postal address so I can get the parcel away to you

this week

EASTER GIVEAWAY

2011-04-26T08:46:00.000+12:00

I have made another pomegranate scissor fob, this time in dark claret silk, looking for something to stitch to go with it I made a floss ring tag to match and added a couple of the fabric squares I bought on our travels in the South Island and a lovey rich autumn shaded hand dyed tencil thread, it was not till I was setting these all out for a photo that it dawn on me I had stitched the same design as I did for my last giveaway. However I hope someone might like it.

To be in the draw for this little gift collection, be a follower of my blog and leave a message before May 1st when I do a draw and announce the winner, and who know I might have added something else to the parcel by then.

2011-04-22T17:32:00.025+12:00

Easter weekend here has begun with a mild and fine winter day, this afternoon stitching by the fire, I started on another pomegranate to match a piece I had stitched earlier, hopefully on Sunday I will announce my Easter give away, If you are travelling to family and friends over the holiday break I wish you safe travel.

To all I send best wishes and blessing for Easter

THE NUMBER GROWS

2011-04-19T22:04:00.000+12:00

What a surprise this morning to open up my blog and see not one new follower but several, welcome to you all and that includes others who have joined over the last few weeks. Last July at my blogs first Anniversary I had 19 followers, this number has already doubled and a year has not gone by, this is very encouraging thank you all. I hope you will find something you enjoy seeing here and do leave a comment from time to time to let me know you have called in.

Pam of confessions of a southern stitcher blog- felt her numbers had stalled at 18 do call at her blog and give her some encouragement here is the link.
http://confessionsofasouthernstitcher.blogspot.com/

Autumn has left us, fresh snow has fallen on the mountain and the weather today although fine and sunny was definitely quite cool, I can look forward to time by the fire stitching, specially over the holiday weekend ahead.

Back soon with more stitching news of my WIP

IT'S BEEN A WONDERFUL WEEK

2011-04-15T17:17:00.001+12:00

Not only did the sun shine, the painters finish on time and my house is back together again......my good stitching friend, Ann has been here for the past week. Ann was here to teach two classes in Latvian Embroidery for our guild. I attended one, its such a long time since I have done a class, but it was great and my piece is progressing slowly.

But what was so special was the time we had together, sharing ideas and things we had found during the past few months, with discussions going late into the evenings and always when we get together we stitch a small project last time it was the pincushions with the bullion stitch roses.

This time we stitched scissor fobs, my latest design was a pomegranate, this was created for a challenge for our Stitching Friends Group.... the challenge asked for a scissor fob with at least 25 french knots.

My first one was stitched with pink silk, french knots? sometimes I think I stitch colonial knots! and beads. and has gone to one of the group.

For the ones we stitched this week, Ann chose a deep wine silk and I made mine in soft apricot.

Here are close up views of our fobs. There is also plans to stitch these at guild next week. I have written basic instructions for making them and if anyone is interested making one email me and I am happy to share.

FINISHED POCKET

2011-04-11T17:03:00.000+12:00

Here is the finished Pocket for a wood nymph it was a really fun piece to stitch. The finished size is 12 x 16 cm.and stitched on 35 count permin lambswool linen. I have been asked about the acorns, these are pony beads wrapped with thread a small bead on the top and a metal cap used in bead work.

Later in the week I will add an album to the blog with the four pockets I have made.

WORK IN PROGRESS

2011-04-04T15:58:00.000+12:00

I had thought I would have been able to show the finished piece, however it is still work in progress. For the past two weeks we have had the painters here first painting the lounge which ment a big upheaval with the furniture being moved to other parts of the house, piles of books in the hall, china stored elsewhere and in the mist of all this little stitching was done !! It was not much better when they moved outside to do the house. Still the finished result has been worth it and we have finally put everything bag in its correct place,

The piece I have been working on is another of my small pockets (bags) last year I showed on the blog three I had done and it is my intention this year to add to more. This one is a pocket for a wood nymyh, I had collected quite a few bits in green tonings but when put together they really did not match so it has gone to autumn tones.

I hope to be able to post the finished pocket in a few days time.

PAY IT FORWARD continued......

2011-03-29T22:05:00.000+13:00

There were four replies to my Pay it Forward posting.

Mouse from Tales of a Stitching Mouse blog (U.K.)
Lilian Pilar from Spain
Evelyne from EEF's needle blog ( France)
Diane from Didi's beaded goodies ( NZ)

It is impossible to select three to pay it forward to out of four replies... so you all will sometime in the next 365 days receive a small stitched item from me.
Do remember you do not have to do anything till you receive your gift, only then will it be time for you to ask others to join in, and in turn pay it forward.

Mouse and Lilian please email me your address...to groatieburn@xtra.co.nz.

andI would love to hear if anyone has a favourite colour, the fun is all mine now looking for something to stitch for each one of you.

THE PARCEL

2011-03-24T09:22:00.046+13:00

Before my trip south I had said I would stitch a small item to have as a draw on my return, I also collected post cards and other small items along the way to make the parcel more interesting.These included some NZ fabrics and I covered the box with the same one I had used to back the embroideries, these were a lucky find as I went to get more thread at a shop in Geraldine and while I waited to be served, browsing round the shop I found not only the red fabric but also small squares printed with NZ items on them and the ones with the Fantail on them, were a must as I had already started to collect items with this little bird on the. I have just received word from Evelyne in France that the parcel has arrived, so I can now show what I have sent to her.

The Fantail items included a bookmark, small bird pin, ( I also got one of these for myself) printed fabric squares and the bird card that when you open it you can hear the fantail sing.
I wanted a cross stitch pattern of a fantail but did not visit enough embroidery shops to find one.
Did find three bead shops on our travels and I added tiny charms to my collection.
And here below is the embroideries I stitched, the scissor fob is the one over one piece I set out to do, and the floss ring tag is stitched on 40 count permin linen, both are stitched with Maderia silk thread. And are from Mon Ami Pierre designs.

The threads sent were hand dyed Perle threads from Chameleon in South Africa.

There is still time to go in the draw for my Pay it Forward, see my previous posting, I look forward to stitching something special for three lucky people.

PAY IT FORWARD

2011-03-13T22:41:00.005+13:00

Last year I was one of the three lucky people for Carol of Stitching Dreams blog, Pay it Forward challenge and it was a real thrill when her parcel arrived. I just love the delightful cushion with the little bird and it is so beautifully stitched and finished. And she very thoughtfully chose the card to go with it, with a black and white cat, a lovely reminder of Tippy my cat whose album of photos are at the bottom of my blog page. Thank you Carol I will really treasure it........Now it is my turn to Pay it forward.

The rules are very simple. I will send a stitched gift to three people who leave a comment (on this post only) requesting to join my PIF challenge. Would you like to participate in a PIF from me ? If more then three people sign up I will do a draw for three names.... I will leave this open till 27 March, remember if you wish to be considered for this you must also be prepare at a later date to pay it forward.at a later date

I have 365 days in which to fulfill my pary of the challenge and will do my best to stitch pieces that are quite special. Then if you are chosen as one of my PIF recipients, once you have received something from me then you must offer the same on your blog to keep the kindness going.

Pay It Forward (PIF)~ verb: "1. to repay the good deeds one has received by doing good things for other unrelated people

I also realise some of the followers of my blog do not have blogs........ so shortly I will have a special draw just for you ..... more on that later

ONE OVER ONE

2011-03-09T09:14:00.000+13:00

I showed photos earlier ( see posting January 27th) of the lovely piece I received from Celine in Valentine Stitcher's Toys exchange but unfortunatley I had accidently wiped the photos of what I had stitched for that exchange, My contribution went to Celine which was fun as we have exchanged several pieces now.

I have received photos from her of the piece I stitched. A scissor fob stitched one over one using a Simply Shaker Sampler Thread in a Ruby shade, The fabric was on oddment from my stash, not sure what it was but it worked well, the tiny beeds round the edge are from an antique necklace and I was thrilled to get the ribbon through the gold rose beads.
Handy tip on how to do this put a little quick drying glue on the end of your ribbon, roll it tight between your fingers so it looks like the end of a shoe lace and let it dry before pushing it through the bead, cut off the glued piece later. The bead needs to have a reasonalble size hole.
As you can see I did her initial on the back.

My planned one over one stitching during my trip away was not so successful, one requirement for this fine stitching is good light, and not much chance to stitch by daylight, I found only two of the motels we stayed in had well placed lights for an embroiderer. So I mostly worked on cross stitch on 40 count which was no problem. I was very dissapointed with the one over one I had stitched that I have since stitched another piece to send with the goodies collected on my travels
.
More of this later.

THE TRIP

2011-03-05T15:05:00.006+13:00

I have made a map to show how much of the country we covered in our 21 days away...... in all close to 3,000 miles starting at our home in Stratford (1) we traveled to Wellington (2) before crossing the next day on the ferry to the South Island, where our first stop was at Lake Rotoiti, St Arnaud. Nelson Lakes.(2) We had been to this lovely spot some years ago ,we enjoyed it just as much this time, specially the walks in the forrests and the bird life.

.

Top-Lake Rotoroa, Top. R. and bottom L. The Silver beech Forrest walks at the edge of the Lake Rotoiki and one of the colourful toadstools seen on our walks.
We had three days and good weather during our stay at Lake Rotoiti and then moved on to the West Coast (4) last time we were there 15 years ago Paul was not able to walk so we planned so we could visit some of the places he had missed
.

He specially wanted to see the Punakaiki Rocks these limestone rock formations anre also known as the Pancake rocks seen here in bottom L. photo........The two other photos were taken a short distance south of Punakaiki and are two views of the same rocks, one taken from the beach and the other from on the cliff above. Again blessed with good weather we were able to enjoy several walks on the beaches.

We then drove across from West coast to Canterbury on the East side of the Island, going via Arthurs Pass(5) a route we had not taken before. I was keen to see the Keas that could be found at high up on the pass, these large parrots are extremely cheeky and inquisitive and will examine anything that comes into their territory to the point of pulling anything they can off cars, including windscreen wipers, rubber seal on windows.... of the photos above I took the one top R, the others son, Barryn had taken and really are good views of the Keas. while I took my photos Paul was kept busy chasing the other Kea away from our car and the other one in the parking area.

Two night in South Canterbury at Geraldine (6) allowed me to visit places of my childhood holidays and to do some generalogy research, from there we moved south to The Catlins (7)

We had several days here, exploring both the coast line, enjoying both forrests and bird life and the walks to the different waterfalls.

Paul is very pleased he made it to all the points of interest we visited, I have to admit I did not manage any of the steeper walks. We were rewarded with veiws of Sea lions sunbaking on a beach, the call of the rare fern bird right be side us when we did the estuary board walk, one friendly little South Island Tom Tit accompanied us along one forrest walk
He did not stay still long enough to have his photo taken..... but looked justlike this one I stitched some years ago.

Some of the waterfalls we walked to in the Catlins, left is the Matai Falls where I stopped at this point and Paul went on up a very steep track to the upper section of the falls known as the horseshoe falls .. bottom R

the Top R photo is the Purakaunui Falls are really enjoyable walk through the forest.

view looking south from Nugget Point in the Catlins

From The Catlins we headed north stopping at Christchurch, with a day at Akaroa Peninsula ( 8) we left Christchurch the day before the earthquake and were on the ferry crossing to Wellington when it struck.
From Wellington were travelled north to Napier (10) to spend a few days with my sister and her husband.

We finished our holiday with a Safari trip to the gannet colony out on Cape Kidnappers. When we lived in Coromandel driving up the coast road we would often see these birds fishing but had never seen them close up.The Safari took us overland through private property to quite high on the cliffs, to the cliff top where one colony was and we were able to get up quite close to the birds.
How the parent birds find their own when returning from fishing is quite amazing
The late chicks are just balls of fluff and sadly some of them will not mature in time to leave, the young birds the grey ones will fly straight off the cliff with no practise flights heading to Austalia and return to their home colony in 5/6 years.
At The Cape their are 3 colonys we visited the top one in the group of photos below centre L. is the Saddle colony and there is a lower one known as the Beach colony.

Home again now, I have to rackle the garden the weeds have grown well in our absence, and hopefully the painters will arrive later this week to work on the house. Off now to catch up on some stitching.

HOME AGAIN

2011-03-04T22:48:00.004+13:00

We arrived Home at the begining of this week, and life has been a bit hectic since then. I will post some pictures from our trip in the weekend, so I can show off New Zealand.
Thank you to all who left a comment on my last posting, I did manage a little stitching while we were away, however I need to mount the pieces I stitched before I show them to you., I also gathered some postcards to send with them.
When we stopped for a few days with my sister and her husband in Napier at the end of our trip, I asked Joan to give me a lucky number for the draw. She selected no. 6.

AND THE WINNER IS....
Evelyne from France who was the sixth person to leave a comment.

Please send me your full name address, Evelyn so I can post the pieces to you.

And here is one veiw taken on the West coast of the South Island.....more to come.

IT WAS TEMPTING

2011-02-07T07:09:00.000+13:00

EMS Cross Stitch forum exchange for this month is óne over one'and I was tempted to take part I love the fine work of stitching one over one and could even think what I would stitch, only problem posting out date was the day we get home.
So I have decided still to stitch a piece, it will be a stitchers toy of some kind
and have it as a give away for you all the followers of my blog...
here is what you need to do to go in the draw ...
be a follower of this blog.
post a comment during the month I am away telling what part of the world you live in.

Look forward to to reading your comments on return
See you in a monthy
Lee

HOLIDAY STITCHING PROJECT.

2011-02-02T15:28:00.008+13:00

We are preparing to go on holiday, leave at the beginning of next week and will be away for three weeks traveling in the South Island, visiting some favourite places, some with childhood memories for me and some new areas. It is 15 years since we last had a holiday in the south.

I have been sorting out some embroidery to take, what needlewoman every goes somewhere with out her stitching. I have decided to take a Mon Ami Perre design '' Le Temps Qui Passe" will stitch the little pocket on 40 count permin linen with Chameleon Stranded thread ( floss) in THATCH which is a lovely slate blue shade. Promise to post the progress when I return.

I have made myself a new Floss Ring Tag, the linen here again is 40 count 'Lambs wool"permin and I have stitched using one of The Gentle Art Simply Shaker Sampler Threads, this one is Briar Rose.

Welcome to, to some new followers to my blog, one of the lovely things about blogging is that you make friends in many different parts of the world, and are able to share an interest together.

See you all at the beginning of March.

Meanwhile Happy Stitching.

Lee

VALENTINE EXCHANGE

2011-01-27T17:41:00.005+13:00

This lovely Pin keep arrived in this mornings mail, it is from Celine in France, my exchange partner in EMS cross stitch forum Valentine exchange. It is an Atalie design "Louise" and I am so thrilled to recieve it. I often visit the blog http://ataliestitchers.blogspot.com/ to admire and enjoy the lovely work there. I have not yet found anyone in NZ stocking these designs.

Celine and I have exchanged pieces several time over the past year, its always a thrill to send something to someone you have come to know through exchanges. And this lovely piece is very special because these are her first atempts at French knots.

This exchange was for a needlebook or pin keep or scissor fob on Valentine theme.... I cant show you what I stitch till I know it has arrived, it is one of those piece I have mentioned as being under wraps for a while.

Thanks to Lynn B's blog http://happinessiscrossstitching.blogspot.com/ and information she share on Picasa 3 web albumns I am now able to make collage pictures for my blog. I can see I will have a lot of fun in future.
Still a couple of things I want to find out how to do.
More to share with you shortly, meanwhile Happy stitching

LITTLE BLUE WREN

2011-01-18T16:57:00.001+13:00

I fell in love with this photo as soon as I saw it, my sister, Joan had posted it on her Face book page with other photos from their West Australia holiday, her son David took the photo and it is a great shot as they are quite tiny birds and I have put it on the desktop of my computer so I can enjoy it..

I could get inspired to stitch it, and if you have looked at my bird album, you have seen a few of the birds I have stitched over the years. I think it would have been about 8 years ago I had a commission to stitch a pair of blue wrens, sadly with changes of computers I don't seem to have the photo of the piece any more.

Here are two more photo's David took of these tiny birds. the drab coloured one is the hen.

P.S. I am stitching but at present but can't share the pieces till they have reached their destinations.

AS THE NEW YEAR BEGINS........

2011-01-03T13:46:00.000+13:00

As the year begins, I too, have been planing what I will stitch in 2011, I have read of a challenge to start ... and finish 15 pieces from ones stash however I don't think I will commit my self to so many projects.'
At present I have a short list which no doubt will be added to-
1. An embroidered Hussif for daughter Jan, she has requested it to have all the tiny flower designs I have used so many time. This project I will keep you posted with the progress
2.To work with Caitlin on the VS. 12 Days of Christmas Sampler we just got started last year and then the year caught up with us.. so now the aim is to stitch it 1 part per month and have it.ready for next Christmas. I am to stitch the cross stitch sections as Caitlin dislikes cross stitch and she will stitch the specialty stitch which will extend her stitch knowledge
3. Make a cover for my bible before it falls apart... I designed this a couple of years ago but really must start stitching it now.

I guess you can add a few exchanges to the list and there are always gifts to stitch for friends. however I would like to find one really exciting project... let you know when I decide what it will be.

Happy Stitching in 2011.

TO ALL............

2010-12-23T22:29:00.029+13:00

May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,

The gladness of Christmas give you hope,

The warmth of Christmas grant you love.

~Author Unknown

To all who visit my blog may you truly enjoy the love

that Christmas brings.

CHRISTMAS RUSH.

2010-12-20T12:08:00.000+13:00

I have done it again.... so please with what I stitched for my friend Ann that I rushed it off to the post before I took a photo. It was for our Stitching friends exchange... and I thought I had found the perfect design to stitch for Ann, when in a conversation I learnt that she had found the same design and was stitching it not only for her exchange partner but also for herself. The challenge for this exchange was a flatfold with a Christmas tree design on it and I had chosen JBW Designs "Christmas Motif Sampler".... the search was then on for another design to stitch and it was quite a while before I found just the right one. I decided on "Joyeux Noel" found on http://www.mingiustitch.com/. and by then I was running late hence the rush to the post. ( Ann has promised to send me a photo after the Christmas rush.

This is not the first time I have done this with a gift for Ann, I did the same thing when I sent her a birthday gift this year, however I did get the opportunity to take some photos later and will share them with you now.
The construction idea for the needle book was inspired by one seen on.Danybrod's blog and I used the peacock cross stitch pattern from a bag I did in a CA Wells workshop some years ago. The lovely Peacock pin is from the Just Nan's collection. I have plans to use this idea again.

Back veiw.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING

2010-12-09T15:40:00.000+13:00

And I have received some delightful gifts and surprises. Firstly from Joan, my exchange partner in our "Stitching Friends" flat fold exchange. The challenge was a flat fold showing a stitched Christmas tree.
Joan had stitched one of JBW Designs Sampler Trees, and what I love along with her very neat stitching is the very tiny stars decorating the tree, the finish is just perfect.

Next to arrive was a packet from America. Thank you Annie (of Annie Bebop's Coloring Book Blog)

for such a lovely surprise, although its summer here snowmen are always welcome and if I look outside there is still a little snow on the mountain but with warm weather is could disappear soon.

Here are close ups of the decoration and the card. don't you just love the teddy bear, I do

Last night Naomi from "Stitching Friends Group" popped in with a surprise gift and when opened it was this tiny angel, she is so tiny and has such a lovely stitch hair do ...the photo does not truly show her off.

I can see me making some of these next year. Thank you Naomi for this tiny treasure..

This mornings mail brought a parcel from Argentina and my EMS Forum exchange partner.along with the card letter and the Jolly Santa was a small bag of sweets.... I wondered when the parcel arrived why It had be opened by the MAF inspectors, they must have gotten a smile when the saw what was inside.... it passed inspection and made it to me. thank you Laurita.

And now its my turn to give away a Christmas gift. We had a fun draw here with my writing down the names of the friends who left comments to my last post and folding them up and tossing them on the floor and asking Paul to pick one up.................................................the lucky person is Laurie who is also the newest member of my Followers on my blog. Laurie please contact me with name and address so I can pop your parcel in the post.

THREADS and TEDDIES

2010-12-01T16:33:00.001+13:00

This is the lovely collection of threads from my shopping in Auckland, they are hand dyed Chameleon Threads from South Africa. I bought mostly Perle 12 with a few stranded cotton and some Perle 8. The photo does not show the lovely subtle shading in the skeins.

I have been using them for my Christmas project, this year I designed a project for the younger girls (8 & 9 yr olds) in our Junior Embroiderers Group, a simple Christmas stocking (7cm high) using back stitch and chain stitches with beads, ribbon and braid. Here on the left is Darrian's stocking, when their stocking is finished I add the tiny Teddy Bear for them. It worked out so well I made some using the Perle 12 threads and a slight variation in the stitch size.

Don't you like this line up....most will be posted out tomorrow however one will go in a draw for my blog friends, so leave a comment between now and December 8th and it could be on its way to you.

NOVEMBER HAS COME AND GONE

2010-11-30T22:24:00.001+13:00

November has come and gone,

The month started out so busy and I am not sure where the days went, in the middle of all this Paul gave me a new computor... its wonderful with wide screen and does not chug along like my old one. I must not complain it had served me well for 7 years but was getting slower and slower.

The change over however has not been smooth I am having it get use to a different programme and at present all my files are still on the old one and I am slowly changing them over. Barryn came home for a weekend and spent most of his time getting me conected again to the internet and trying to get my scanner to work on the new computor, sadly that does not seem possible. I wont bore you with all my frustrations!

Today I moved some of the photos onto this computor. The roses I am sharing with you were here in the garden and I have no idea of the name, it has a most heavenly perfume. I took these photos this morning to check on transfering them to a new programme, that at least went smoothly.

We have had a few days away in Auckland and yes I managed a visit to an embroidery shop I wanted to stock up on some special threads. I will share them with you soon and tell you of what I have been stitching.
Good to be back again.

SARA LEE'S LITTLE HOUSE

2010-10-24T14:46:00.000+13:00

I just had to share with you Sarah Lee's Little House, she is the youngest of the group of young embroiderers I teach every week in an after school group out at a country school and she is the first in the group to finish this project.

The door was stitched first as a practise in running stitches, and it can be opened to see who is living there, (there is a princess)

Then the door frame and windows which were counted satin stitch . After that came the fun of adding all the extra bits including a tree at the back to cover the join of the canvas and finally the base was glued on, and the roof made with fabric glued to card, that can be lifted off so things can be stored inside.

We were thrilled when Sarah Lee won both the Judges choice and Viewers choice for the crafts at the school resent Calf and Pet Day

AUTUMN EXCHANGES

2010-10-17T14:21:00.000+13:00

Autumn was the theme for a bookmark exchange on EMS Forum. and I received this lovely one from Terri in USA. It is almosr too nice to use, meanwhile it sits by my computor so I can enjoy it.

I send my bookmark to England and had a lot of fun stitching a design that I adapted from http://www.leschroniquesdefrimousse.com/ I think her little elf designs are really cute and it was quite simple to change this one into a bookmark. The design is called "L'automne arrive..." and can be found on the web site, on the left side under the heading Les Lutins.

PINK VIOLETS

2010-10-14T09:42:00.000+13:00

I should have added this picture on my previous posting-

ON VIOLETS

2010-10-09T16:02:00.001+13:00

The eyes of violets are filled with dreams.......

I picked another another bunch of tiny violets this morning, this deep pink one is flowering really well this year however I don't know its name.......below is "Greyfriars Bobby" a wonderful gray- mauve shade and a special favourite and it is even more grey mauve in the real thing..

Others I have and know by name are Suffolk Lady a soft mauve and Lancashire Lad a true purple, these three are from The Kerry Carman violet collection. I enjoy having tiny posies of violets on my kitchen window sill, beside some special pieces of china. This tiny cup and saucer belonged to my sister's tea set that our mother played with as a child, only a few pieces are left and I treasure these piece Joan shared with me. It is tiny, the cup is only 3cm high.

The little jug that insists on being at the bottom of my posting and not where I want it is "Victorian Violets" from the Englands Countryside Collection by Hammersley China also sit on the window sill with its sugar bowl. Do you know the violet "Freckles" ? white with what looks like ink spots on the petals? I noticed that after a long effort to get it to grow, it has this year seeded freely, specially up against the stepping stones in one part of the path, and from the look of the buds there will be a good showing of blooms shortly. Violets have a wonderfully long flowering season as long as they are picked frequently, and once the weather warms up the summer flowering ones will mke their appearance. For my embroidery friends, here is a chart of pink violets for a card or book mark,

My recommended colours are DMC 3687 pink; 3688 light pink; 743 gold; 3346 green; 3364 light green.

If you wish to stitch this design as dark purple violets use 550 purple; and 552 light purple.

The stitch count is 80 h x 18w.

Friends

2010-10-02T20:47:00.000+13:00

Two dear friends have been to visit, we share 5 days together here at the cottage, the weather was decidedly wintery but that did not matter as we sat by the fire and stitched and chatted,and shared what we had been working on. Ann and I bounced ideas off one another.. I am now quite inspired.

One of the things we did was stitch together some of my little pin cushions for the sales table at the coming Coromandel Guild Exhibition, these were a shared project with each of us doing different parts.We made six for the guild then one each for ourselves. mine is the unfinished one in the photo however all the parts are here ready so it will not take long to put together once the stitching finished.
Since their visit I have managed to finish one of My Bride's Tree pieces. I have been slipping well behind. Must admit I have not done my July piece yet, meanwhile here is my piece for August , a rose to represent beauty in the home. I had a couple of false starts, the first rose I wanted to stitch was going to be far to big......I am mounting them all on the same size cardboard circles, next I tried this chart as a red rose and it looked like a blob!! Having changed it to pink I am reasonably happy with it. The chart is a very old danish one by Clara Weaver that I have had in my collection for many years. Stitched on 40 count Permin linen with one strand of DMC thread over 2 fabric threads.

Septembers piece is all but started...... hope it will not take too long and I can share it with you.

CAITLIN'S MICE

2010-09-20T16:44:00.000+12:00

I have just finished making a needle folder for Caitlin, it has this blackberry fabric on the outside and little mice stitched on the pages inside. When it is first opened up there is a page with her new scissors in their place

opening it further reveals 4 pockets for packets of needles

and flannel for spare pins and needles.

I am finishing an 'orts bag' in the blackberry fabric .

To follow at a later date- a pin keep and a floss ring tag.... more mice.

Tail note( not foot note!)

I found again the original card that inspired these cross stitch designs.

Blackberry picking by Cecilia Rowan.

AND MICE IN MY GARDEN

2010-09-04T11:51:00.000+12:00

The sun is shining and I braved the cold wind for a quick walk round the garden and I found clumps of little mice ....... Little mouse plant Arisarum proboscideum comes up in the spring with lovely clumps of fresh green leaves and its only when you part these you find the flowers, the tiny mice.

It is a fasinating plant, a woodland native of Italy and Spain, and one gardening book describes the flowers as like the long tails of mice diving for cover.

It appears to like the climate here, I was given a few of the tiny tubers some years ago which we grew in the rockery in our Coromandel Garden and when we moved brought some with us to find it was already in the garden. Like all mice it seems to multiply well !!! And now there are several clumps in different parts of the garden

Don't you love the tail on this one........

MORE MICE

2010-08-29T12:52:00.000+12:00

I have been stitching a really enjoyable project, having decided that part of Caitlin's birthday present would be a container for storing beads for her embroidery, I just had to stitch a panel for the top, and settled on the little mice collecting blackberries from the booklet "Harvest mice" by Christine Sewell.
These delightful mice designs were adapted from an original painting by Cecilia Rowan, and I have adapted the cross stitch charts to suit my need. I have stitched some of these mice some years ago but had forgotten what a delightful stitching project they were. Here is Caitlin's bead container, the fabric behind is what I plan to use for a hussif for Caitlin at a much later date.

And a close up of one of the mice.

Its her birthday today and the parcel went round all wrapped in pink tissue with silver ribbon and two little stuck on butterflies, opening it was very slow as she wanted to keep all the trimings and the present well received. Having really enjoyed stitching the mice so much I have started another project with them stitched on it which I will show you when its finished, meanwhile this is one of the little mice stitched for the second piece..

LOOKING BACK AT CONFERENCE WORKSHOP

2010-08-18T11:51:00.001+12:00

I think we all complain we don't take good photos ! This one was taken of Aida and myself at the workshop at conference. I have received a collection of photos taken in the class by Sheryl and thought I would share some of them These show every ones work at the end of the third day of stitching................................

.................and show too the lovely colours of the hand dyed linen of the Jane Van Keulen kits that were used. For my part as tutor it was very pleasing to see how much everyone achieved in the three days, I have since heard of one finished mat and look forward to seeing photos of some of them when completed.

For new visitors to my blog, here is the mat everyone was stitching.

As this was my last workshop I would be teaching I had some little extras for everyone. These include cardboard needle tweets to hold the needles given out with the kits, Paul cut floss ring tags and cards for their threads, these they got on the first day of the workshop. Next day after a remind of the story of the Tailor of Gloucester and advise not too go home and stitch late into the night there was a tiny mouse for everyone. And at the end of the workshop a reward .... flower with a chocolate kiss in the centre.

Don't you love little mouse, he is just one and a quarter inches tall.

YELLOW DAPHNE

2010-08-10T19:58:00.001+12:00

Its not truly a yellow daphne, although that is one of the common names given to the lovely shrub, Edgeworthia papyrifera, it is also known as Chinese Paper Bush. This year the weather has been kind to our bush and it is making a lovely display by the letterbox. So often when it flowers the weather is wet and it destroys these lovely blooms.

My thoughts are running to design and I would like to stitch something using these flowers as my design, the hardest part will possibly be finding the right colours in threads, nature has her own colour pallet and DMC does not always provide a match. I have gotten as far as tea dying a piece of linen for the background. It might take a while but I promise to show the result when it is finished.

Here is the close up I will use for my design, taken inside the colour are not quite as deep as they should be the outdoor shots are better colourwise..

WESSEX STITCHERY BY MY FRIENDS

2010-08-01T14:43:00.002+12:00

I am very excited at being able to share some Wessex Stitchery done by several of my friends

Firstly a tiny piece from one of the Junior Embroiderers in the group that meet each week,
the four older girls working with Maree have all completed a a small block with "Steepholm stitch " and are now working on a second piece. They are really enjoying this type of stitching and having a
wider variety of threads to work with.
The four younger girls are working on canvas work with me and one lass keeps refering to her thread
as String!

Joycelyn from Christchurch in the South Island attended the very first class I taught on Wessex Stitchery (1997) and who has had a love affair with Wessex ever since, sent me some photos a while back but as the piece I really loved was part of a set she had sent to the National exhibition I have had to wait untill now to show it to you, and of course I saw it in the exhibition. Part of a set of pin cushions all stitched in Wessex Stitchery her 15 sided biscornu is a really lovely piece.

Joycelyn was also in my last class at conference and she shared with me her album ... Her Wessex Journey a record of all the pieces she had stitched. Truly the pupil has surpassed the teacher.

At conference my very good friend Ann taught a workshop " Wessex Draw String Workbag" her first bag that she had taught several time (I have shared photos of it a while ago on my blog) was very popular and she designed a new one for this workshop. The colours are really lovely in this piece however in the workshop everyone was able to make their own colour choice..

And from Mary Joan in Sheffield England comes some pieces that show how lovely varigated threads looks in this work. Mary Joan's Wessex stitchery was featured in " New Stitches" magazine in March of this year.

Now across the seas in a different direction from Hilton in South Africa, Rhoda has sent some of her Wessex

work Rhoda hasbeen stitching Wessex since 2002 and recently taught it at her Embroiderers Guild.

There has been some much lovely work shared with me, that it has been very hard to keep it to only two photos from each person. I hope seeing all this might inspire someone else to try this work too.

WINTER AND STITCHING ROSES

2010-07-26T13:30:00.000+12:00

I'm so glad it is winter as I love sitting by the fire stitching.

Have been busy with more of my little hearts, two of the little pin cushions with the bullion stitches like I posted on June 2nd. and one of my small cross stitch rose designs. I found this tiny rose bud some years ago and have used it many times making changes to fit whatever I was stitching. I have stitched it in pinks and also in reds. Two shades, a dark and a light are needed along with two shades of green.

This little pin keep is from my own set of needlework accessories and I think it might be the original rosebud but I cannot remember where I found it.

The red version I call my Valentine Rose Collection. And I am adding my charts hopeful that someone else may enjoy stitching these too.

The needle book shown has a tiny drawn thread heart in the centre. This was stitched separately on fine linen then added to the front of the needle book. This one was stitched last year for an overseas exchange.

The one I have been stitching is the ring of red roses and it is now ready to be posted away.

LUCKY NUMBERS

2010-07-22T10:54:00.002+12:00

I have done my draw for someone who left a comment on my blog during the last month, using the Random number web site -http://www.random.org/ to draw a number.
here is the result.....
True Random Number Generator
Min: 1
Max: 30
Result: 16
I counted off each comment and no 16 was from Annie, from Annie Bebop's Coloring Book Blog. Annie a small gift is here waiting to be posted to you, please send me your address.

Then I decided to do a second draw and made it between the 19 people who have become followers on my blog... and here is that result.
True Random Number Generator
Min: 1
Max:19
Result: 14
Starting at the bottom and working up no. 14 is Mary Joan from England. Mary Joan I look forward to sending you a small packet when I have your address.

Thanks to everyone for their support during my first year of blogging.

I'M BACK......HOME FROM CONFERENCE

2010-07-17T20:49:00.002+12:00

Here I am after a wonderful week, lots of catching up with old friends from all round the country,enjoyed good guest speakers, fine weather for a whole week, frosty mornings but lovely winter days. Both my workshops went off well. For "Shades of Monet" workshop, Jane Van Keulin supplied a wonderful selection of dyed linen and matching threads, and in the workshop we gave them names like "purple passion", "iced lavender", and "marbled egg shell" to name a few. I hope in time some photos will arrive and I can show them on this blog.
On the way home Paul asked if I wanted to buy my new camera, of course I said yes. So I am now the proud owner of a digital camera that will do good close up work. The photo of the little bird on the album on the side of my blog was not taken with a digital camera . It was taken some time ago with a Pentax with Macra lens. Here is the same bird taken with my new camera.

This little bird is 7cm from tip of his tail to his beak and here is another photo going in closer.

And I tried a close up too, on some tiny pink violets.

I am happy!

OFF TO CONFERENCE

2010-07-08T20:55:00.000+12:00

Am all packed and we leave at 8am tomorrow..... conference here I come.
The NZ Embroiderers Guild Conferences are held every two years, and it is a great chance to catch up with friends from all round the country. And for someone like myself who lives in a small country town the Merchants Mall is like finding treasure trove.
I added up and I have been teaching almost 30 years now, at guild, regional and this will be the 3rd National Conference I have taught at.
I am teaching the little bags on Monday next. then Tues-Thursday will be my last workshop, I teach and this is what I am teaching.

I have designed a count thread mat with reticello work in the centre and named the workshop " Shades of Monet" we are using the lovely hand dyed fabric with matching threads from Jane Van Kuelen and everyone will be able to select a pack in the colour of their choice. I hope with three days their pieces will be well on the way by the end of the time. I will report back after I get home on July 16th.

POCKET FOR THE SNOW QUEEN

2010-06-25T16:40:00.000+12:00

I am at the sister's in Napier for a few days. have been trying out her camera do see how it goes photographing embroidery. Here is the results.

This is my "Pocket for the Snow Queen" and here is a closer view. I have used tiny Ribbon Roses on this one sequins, pearls and bead along with feathers.

and finally here is what the camera really can do,

This one really tells me I need a new camera!

Do tell me which of the three pockets you like Best

POCKET FOR A MERMAID

2010-06-21T20:49:00.000+12:00

Here it is my " Pocket for a Mermaid"

And yes its a strong blue ! possibly a little darker in the real thing. The dye packet said sea blue and showed almost aqua in the picture. The linen is 40 count Permin and I found it very hard work doing the count thread stitches on it. The rest was sheer fun.

Here is a closer view, can you find the tiny sea horse charm, it came in an exchange packet from America last year and is just perfect for this piece. And the little mermaid was an extra one made quite some time ago when I made some for the goodies bags at one of Caitlin's Birthday parties.

POCKET FOR TITANIA

2010-06-19T22:19:00.001+12:00

ANZEG Conference ( Association New Zealand Embroiderers' Guilds) is now only three weeks away. This week I have been writing the notes for the two workshops I am teaching there....... along with stitching a couple of extra pieces. Anyone who would like to see the variety of workshops that will be at the conference go to - http://www.embroidery2010.co.nz/tutors.html click on any of the tutors and more details will come up along with a photo of what they are teaching.

I enjoy writing the notes for workshops and find its amazing what the computor can produce but the best bit is the designing.

This is the piece for the one day workshop I have on the Monday..... "Pocket for Titania."

I have completed two further pockets to show that the basic idea could be taken further and one does not have to stitch bullion stitches rose!.

"Pocket for a Mermaid" is on blue linen that I dyed. Did not come out quite the colour I expected but I am pleased with the finished result. I hope to be able to post photo of it soon.

Today I finished one for the " Snow Queen" white, silver and a tiny touches of blues. My mind is full of ideas now but I must move on to other things.

My second workshop is a three day one " Shades of Monet" a count thread mat using Jane Van Keulin's lovely linen and threads dyed to match. You can see it on the Confernce web site.

ONE YEAR ON

2010-06-15T21:27:00.000+12:00

10 th June was the first anniversary of my starting my blog, a big thank you to all my friends (followers) for the interest you have shown in my blog.
I thought it would be great to have "a give away" to celebrate the event.

But at the moment time does not permit me to do a box of goodies. So instead of this big box I have decided to sent something small to the two people who have been there constantly for me, and left the most comments, giving me lots of encouragement and support.

Thank you Carol of "Stitching Dreams" and Chris from "Notes from a Sommerset Garden" will you both please send me your postal address.

And there will be a third small parcel for someone who leaves a comment on my blog this month, that is anyone who leaves a comment anytime from June 1 till July 9th (when I go off to Conference) will go in the draw for this parcel.

NZ Embroiderers Guilds Confernce starts 9th July and at present I am writing the notes for the two workshops I am teaching. I will show these pieces later.

THIS IS TODAY

2010-06-09T11:51:00.000+12:00

Its a wonderful crisp sunny winter's day here. lovely after all the heavy rain and strong winds of the past few days. Paul came in to say the mountain (Mt Egmont) had a good coating of snow and suggested I grabbed the camera and we would go for a drive.

Here are a few of the photos I took. this first one was taken about 8 min drive from our house.

a little further along the road.

and lastly this one was taken beside Mountain House which is at 845 metres and 10 km from Stratford.

(Mt Egmont is 2518 metres high)

BRIDES TREE SAL FOR JUNE

2010-06-06T23:07:00.000+12:00

Brides Tree SAL for • June: is to be Fruit or Fruit Basket - representing generosity, plenty.
I have chosen to stitch a wreath of berries. This is a Danish Chart from Eva Rosenstand, one I have had for many years and one I enjoy stitching. Again I have stitched on 40 count permin using 1 strand of DMC worked over 2 threads.
We are off to Napier later in the month and I will need to visit my favourite Embroidery Shop "Heirlooms" and stock up on the fine linens as I am nearly out. O how I wish for a bigger stash.

FAST POST...

2010-06-02T22:36:00.002+12:00

I posted off fron NZ the latest exchange items on Friday 28th May and have just learnt they arrived in Holland yesterday 1st June.
Gee that was quick, what a change from agonising for weeks waiting to hear that a parcel had arrived.

The exchange was for a stitchers toy with at least 25 french knots. I made the scissor fob first and it was fun to make. Planned to do a needlebook to match, but decided on the pincushion when I had learnt who my exchange partner was as I had sent Liz a needlebook last year ( see post for 6th December.). The pin cushion has a hard base and four covered beads for feet that do not show in the photo. Last month I received a lovely blackwork pinkeep and fob from Liz which I hope to add the photos soon..

Here is how to stitch the scissor fob.

THE MONTH OF MAY

2010-05-31T21:06:00.000+12:00

May has been a month of highs............. lows............. and finishing on a high again. The good start to the month can be seen from the entries on my blog. Then a severe chest cold took over and not even any stitching got done. Jan gave me a leave pass to finish the last items for her basket at a later date, so I could at least keep up with what was needed for the junior embroiderers.... must share about this group sometime.
Fortunately I had recovered by the 25th when we went to Coromandel, we were later going up this year and so missed most of the lovely Autumn leaves but there were still some patches of bright colour along the way.
The reason for the visit was for me to teach my count thread mat, " Threads from Jane" This mat is stitched on 30 count linen which Jane Van Keulen has dyed with matching threads see her website-
http://www.janevk.com/
It was a very enjoyable workshop as I knew everyone taking the class so a reunion with old friends.
We had extra time away so lots of talk about stitching and sharing of ideas with two special friends..

This mat that I taught, this was stitched by my friend Maree in a previous class the colours are lovely and the photo does not do justice to them

A corner of the mat showing the contrasts between the satin stitching and the fine drawn thread work in the centre.

Came home to find the more snow on the mountain, its now half way down, so although lovely and sunny out, the temperature is quite crisp today so shortly I will be enjoying the fireside and stitching.

BRIDES TREE SAL for MAY

2010-05-13T10:16:00.000+12:00

The Brides Tree SAL challenge for• May: Bird or Bird in a nest - happiness and/or joy, confidence in the shelter

I have chosen one NZ small native birds Yellow Breasted Tit. This tiny bird is found in the forrest on the South Island.The design is from a Maree Garstang leaflet " More NZ Birds and Flowers", I have had the chart for many years and although I have stitched it once before this time it is for me. Stitched on 35 count Permin linen with DMC Threads, I chose not to stitch the blue in the background.

MORE FOR JAN"S BASKET

2010-05-11T08:09:00.002+12:00

This week when sorting through a box of odds and ends I came across a piece Jan had stitched several years ago as a sample for me. It was to show how my design a ring of violets would look stitched in a different count fabric.... my pieces were usually stitched on 35 count.

A pity to waste it, when it matched the items for her workbasket so we used it for a new top on her pincushion.

THANK YOU JAN AND GIRLS

2010-05-11T08:08:00.000+12:00

I have been truly spoilt, Jan and her girls arrived with a lovely bouquet of flowers for Mothers day and I had a lovely time arranging them. Lillies, Chrysanthemums,Carnations and Tulips.