CROSS-STITCH - PART III

OK, I think this will be my last section on cross-stitch for awhile. In one of the other posts, I spoke of larger projects. These are what are holding my interest for now. The problem with large projects is that it is harder to just throw them in a bag and go. Larger projects have more thread, larger hoops, and usually quite a few embellishments. Usually, I save the larger projects for when I am at home. Lately I haven't had too much time to work on my larger projects. I cannot sit still watching TV. I start feeling like it is a waste of time, not to be doing something. This is when I usually work on these bigger projects. I will sometimes take them on long trips. Thank goodness, I am fortunate to be able to work in the car or the van. The only problem I have there is bumpy roads!
The pieces that I am just crazy in love with are designed by Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum. Her designs are called "Told In A Garden" and can be viewed at www.tiag.com
She divides her designs in to groups. She has Amish and teacher patterns and other designs, but my favorite is called "Lavender and Lace". These are primarily angels and they are exquisite. There is great detail and she makes use of filament and beading. I have completed 2 of these. One is called "The Wedding". (It is actually not angels...but most of the rest are). I gave this one to my sister when she got married. I do not have a picture of it, however, I am working on another one for Kristin and Chance and will post a picture when it is complete. (I have no idea when that might be).
The one I have completed is called "Ice Angel" and I do have a picture to post.

Here is a closer picture of the beading.

Here is a picture of some of the detail involved in this piece.

I think I have 18 of these angel patterns: Angel of the Morning, Earth Angel, Peace Angel, Angel of Love, Angel of Spring, Angel of Summer, Angel of Fall, Angel of Winter, Angel of Light, Angel of Freedom, Angel of Hope, Guardian Angel, and Angel of Mercy. I know there are more, but I am not sure where I have hidden them. Many of these pieces are inspired by something or someone. For example, the Angel of Mercy was inspired and dedicated to Polly Klaas.
Marilyn's daughter is also a designer. Her name is Nora Corbett and her designs are called "Mirabilia" and can be found at www.mirabilia.com
I have a few of her designs and they have some of the same features as "Lavender and Lace". I am not sure if she has any angels, but she has quite a few fairies and beautiful ladies. I have 2 of her patterns: one of them is called "Lady Freedom", it is a retired pattern and "The Stargazer". These patterns are very detailed and have filament and beading also.
I do believe if I started today and never stopped, I would be unable to finish all of these, but I do love them. I hope to be able to work on them more soon.
OK, for all you folks that are finding this "stitchin' stuff" boring, this will be the last on stitching for awhile.
Good night and have a great and relaxing Labor Day!

Cross-stitch - Part II

I thought tonight I might add a few of the pieces that I have actually hanging in my home. Let me know what you think. Please excuse the blurry pictures. I am still trying to get used to my new camera!

This is the first "large" project that I attempted. I love carousels and carousel horses. I thought I was going to go nuts before I finished because when I started this I was pretty much still a novice and this pattern contained 1/4 and 3/4 stitches and also the gold filament. If you have never worked with filament, I suggest taking heavy sedatives before beginning. I still (after years of using it) get frustrated with the stuff!

I found these horses separate from the carousel but thought they went along nicely. I have done all 6 of them that I could find. Some of these may be turned sideways and I don't know why. (In my previews they are right side up--I don't know, just more confusing technical junk) Anyway, you can at least get the picture (no pun intended!)





I have done a couple of quick smaller projects. I guess you call them wall hangings. They are fairly small and these things are the easiest things to finish up. It is easy to do and they look nice when they are done. Some of them you just hand hem and some I have just "fringed" the material. The hardware is easy to find at most craft stores, but I have learned to make my own. I buy unfinished dowels and finials and stain them and then I just use either gold thread or ribbon to use as the hanger. Here are 2 that I have hanging in my house now.


I mentioned in my ramblings last night about the scenes from Memphis that I had done. I have also a San Antonio icon...The Alamo. I think this picture is really blurry but you can see what it is (HaHa). It was fun to do and the framer that I had found at the time did a fantastic job on the matting and framing. The matting is actually dark leather. I have quite a few San Antonio scenes and I hope to get around to stitching them some day. (The San Antonio Skyline, The Riverwalk, Mission San Jose)

I have one more section on cross-stitch that maybe I can do tomorrow. It is the main thing I am working on now and absolutely LOVE them. I'll give you a hint...they are large projects!! But I really love how they turn out! See you tomorrow (oops, it's already tomorrow!)

MY FAVORITE HOBBY

Back in 1981, my cousin taught me how to cross-stitch. I absolutely loved it. Pretty soon I was stitching constantly. I made pictures in frames, pillows, bell-pulls, Christmas ornaments...well you get the idea. At one point, Quinn said that I was going to have to stop because we were running out of wall space. Yes, I gave stuff away. Birthdays, Christmases, holidays, etc. to friends, relatives, and donations. I stitched a carousel and 6 separate horses and they hang in my living room. I have stitched many scenes from my hometown of Memphis. (The Memphis-Arkansas Bridge, Elvis' gates, The Peabody Fountain, The Hebe Fountain, and Carter's Seed Store). I have done many things for my kids...I stitched each one of their names and routinely let them pick out something at craft stores that they would like for me to stitch. Some of them were quite large. Cory asked for "King Tut". It was absolutely beautiful. It was the first time I used filament and it made the mask look almost real. I have done several trains for Colton and many tractors (John Deere and International Harvester) for Cody. Kristin asked for cats and "The Titanic".
Here is the last "cat" one that I have finished for her. It uses the filament (shiny thread). I haven't had the chance to have it framed.

This piece is called "A Night to Remember". It is her Titanic scene. I haven't had it framed and it will need "major" blocking because of the "lines" on the ship.

I usually carry small projects around in the car for times when I have to do some waiting...on kids, doctors, dentists, orthodontist, etc. At this time, I have found the 50 states in small projects. I have chosen to stitch the states that we have been in. So far, I have only done 3.

I stitched the "Praying Hands" to make into a Bible cover.

I found this soccer pattern and thought that it looked like fun...when I was working on it Quinn was the coach for the YMCA team and Cody and Colton both were on the team, so I stitched their names across the bottom.

Last, but not least for this blog...I stitched this next piece for several patients at CTRC. I ended up stitching one for myself, but I haven't decided how I want to finish it out.

Stitching has given me a great sense of satisfaction. When I am in the middle of a project, it is hard to imagine the end product especially on large projects. (I will tell you about my "Large Projects" in my next post.) But when the project is done, I feel a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. Stitching has also been therapy for me. I relax and wind down a lot easier when I am stitching. I can stitch watching TV or riding in the car.
Hopefully, my finished products will be something that my children and grandchildren will treasure. I hope over time some of my works will become heirlooms. I guess in the deep recesses of my mind, I hope that these works will be a little connection to a part of "me" that my family, now and in the future, can enjoy.

STUFF

I still do not have my new digital camera...my son, who shall remain nameless (Cody) still has it. Obviously he is enjoying it.
The time has flown by lately and now school is about to start. In many ways, I am glad, but I am also a little sad. I do enjoy the kids being around. I just seem to not get anything done when they are around. I guess I still like being a kid and running around with them. Of course, once school starts, it's Marching Band, Soccer, Band, Soccer, Band, well you get the idea. It's just that I think the summer is more relaxed. It is also extremely hot! Boy, when these days are close to 100, I sure do miss Tennessee. I am amazed even after 13 years how crunchy grass can get when it is completely burned up! When we first moved here I wanted to add color to my flower beds. I bought and set out begonias (they take full sun). The NEXT day, those begonias had shriveled and rolled themselves underground! (I don't blame them!!)I went to the nursery and asked them what happened..."it says full sun"! Their reply, "Well it doesn't mean South Central Texas full sun". So I just bought me some silk flowers and stuck them in the beds (my neighbor gave me that hint). After about a month of that, I decided that was cheesy and threw them away. I love Texas from October through May, but June thru September can be brutal. (Although our 1st February here it was 100 for a couple of days). Right now, it is unbelievable outside. We have gotten rain yesterday and today (miracle) and just in the last few minutes the sun has come out and it is still drizzling. The rays of the sun are cutting through the clouds and striking the rain, making little rainbow spears and just off to the north there is a big beautiful rainbow. I hope all of you are having a great day and I'll be back soon.

WELL IT'S BEEN A WHILE...

I have been crazy busy lately. I have been trying to clean Cody's room, so when he arrived back home it would be decent!! He arrived last night at 11:30PM!! Quinn left today for Chicago on business, so I was back at the airport at 11:30AM today. Kristin arrives from OKC at 7:00, so I will be back at the airport then! I also have been enjoying my Facebook a lot lately. It is great keeping in touch with old friends and family that is far away! But I didn't want to neglect blogging. I am still trying to learn more about how to do this, so I am back!