Something New

The other day someone asked if I would try to finish their book weight. I have done lots of needlepoint but was always afraid to stitch it into something for fear I would damage the stitching.  Some lovely stranger has always made my ornaments and pillows.  So on the way home I decided I'd try some first on unstitched canvas and then try one of my word ornaments and then the real thing.  I am shocked at how malleable the actual needlepoint is. I sewed the items like little pillows and turned them inside out. Sewing on the trim by hand was a bit harder but still doable.

 

Being a very fussy person I think I need lots more practice and I'm sure that the women who do this professionally have had a lot more experience. I enjoyed trying something new.

My ADVENTure

I finally have some things to add to my ADVENTure basket. The first presents of 2011 !!! I bet you all recognize these from this blog. I used Debbie Bliss Fez which is beautiful yarn but a little too expensive. Currently I have no one specific for this gift. I may make more for a group of friends.

This is my husbands Christmas present. I have been working on this for ages but it is finally ready. He loves wearing his needlepoint belts and this will be great for the spring festivities. There is a tie from Vineyard Vines that will go really nicely with this belt. If he's good he may get that too. I have to say it feels good to have a few presents in the basket.

I hope you are all having a great weekend.

Happy 4th of July.

P.S. I tried to link up to Kristyn Knits but my skills failed me. Pretend I'm linked over there and thanks to Krystyn for inspiring us! 

A Little Break

I've been working on this for the last few nights because my current All Stitched Up project is making me a little crazy. I'm finishing a crewel project for someone and as often happens I'm at the point where I'm not sure that I love it. Usually if I walk away for a few days it will look much better to me. So I started this and am having a good time. Of all the crafts needlepoint is my favorite. 
I case you can't figure this out it's the Washington Monument. Every Christmas I've been giving my daughter a patriotic Cristmas orament for her tree. I think she needs a patriotic tree since she lives in DC. She's very loving and puts up with some of my ideas.

Belts

I finished this belt and gave it to Jim and then regretted that I had not taken a picture. Well, its back ! It turned out to be to small. So the belt is on it's way back to the finisher to be made a couple inches bigger. The good news you get to see it and he really likes it.

On to the next belt - for Joe's Christmas belt. He's been getting a belt for Christmas for the last few years and really seems to enjoy them. This will be his fifth. The Washington monuments in honor of the fact that our daughter lives in and loves DC.

Everything is Almost Finished

I've been trying to think of a topic for my blog. Nothing is finished right now to show off. It's too hot to show the dogs romping outside. So here's the truth of the matter - I have lots of things to do and put together. Over the next week or two there will be projects to talk about; a cute baby sweater, the 60th birthday belt, and some 4th of July cards. I like knowing that I have projects to keep my fingers and mind busy.

Procrastination

I had a great idea a month or two ago to make our friend Jim a belt for his 60th birthday. I want it to be special and have things on it that reflect the pastimes he enjoys. Good idea but fast forward to one week before the party. In fact now I have 4 days before the party. Between the icons you see there is about 24 inches to fill in. Clearly it's going to be given as a work in progress. It is just no where near as easy as I imagined and when that happens it's easy to put off. Believe it or not I'm trying hard to stop worrying and just start stitching. So tonight I think I'll do the bicycle and maybe the cow or the skier. One icon at a time until it's all filled up.

What do you think?

A friend got this for me from another friend who was cleaning out her stash. I thought about it for a few days and then got excited. I'm going to bead the entire wreath. The bow can be fun sparkling fibers but the background ...What color? Green as is? Michelle would say black? Hillary said navy? It's fun to think about. What do you think? These are the fun decisions that life should be full of.

Time to Start Hunting

One of my favorite needlepoint pillows. I have been so busy finishing things for other people that I haven't done something for my self in awhile. I'm getting the itch to do a project for myself. I think part of the fun of the project is the hunting for it. Let the hunt begin.

Happy Memorial Day

This is going to be Joe's Christmas Belt. I'm starting early to avoid the rush and how appropriate for this holiday weekend. I hope everyone enjoys this great start to the summer.

Finished

This is the first Christmas Stocking I have ever needlepointed. A customer was just not interested in doing it after she purchased it so she commissioned me to needlepoint it. It took me a little more than 50 hours and I am so proud it's done. I'm a little sad to let it go but it's not our style and I know someone will be enjoying it for many years to come.

I'm enjoying my sense of accomplishment today.

I Did It !

I have been afraid of this job all week. Doing more needlepoint so that it would fill up the space - no problem. Cutting off the canvas around the needlepoint - scary. Fitting the needlepoint in the space on sticky paper - very scary. But I am proud to announce I did it and it's smooth and stuck in. I can add this to the list of things I will finish. I do have a good feeling of accomplishment.

New Commission

This is my latest job for a customer. It's a Christmas stocking and all she only wants me to use wool so the needlepoint is simple. No fancy stitches or fibers. It has totally captivated me this week and is relaxing. I'm a little worried that I will have had enough before it's finished but so far it's fun. I consider myself very lucky to get paid for something I love to do.

Yellow Week - Day 4

My first needlepoint frame.

Yellow Week - Day 3

One of my bad habits - unfinished needlepoint.

Someday it will get done. In the meantime it
works great for yellow week .

Beautiful

This is by far my prettiest needlepoint. It was made only better by some excellent finishing. The back is almost just as pretty. I feel like an artist and this is my best work framed beautifully. Now no one sit near it!

Needlepoint or Housecleaning ???

I love to start a new project. I have been crocheting a lot so going back to needlepoint is fun. This will be a needlepoint belt when it's done. Now this is all I want to do but.....housecleaning is necessary!!!!

One Last Christmas Present

I couldn't show this off until Hillary opened her Christmas presents. It turned out nice thanks to Kelsey 's great finishing. Hillary sent me a picture of it on her bed. It looks great. It was fun to needlepoint. I'm dreaming up my next needlepoint.

Merry Christmas

One more ornament.

The presents are wrapped and the house is clean all that's left is Christmas Eve dinner and the festivities begin !

Merry Christmas to All !

My favorite Christmas Ornaments

I love this ornament - one of my collection that almost fill the tree. It's always fun to bring out my collection. I love to make a new ornament every year to add to the tree. The tree's decorated, presents purchased (not wrapped) and the cards ready for the post office. Maybe some cookies tomorrow. One minute it seems like there is too much to do, the next minute it all pulls together.

Craft - Gratitude

I am grateful for this wonderful gift, the wonderful friend and the world of needlepoint. A couple of years ago a customer/friend (personnally more friend than customer now) gave me this needlepoint rug. It has a little local history because it was painted by a woman for a former local needlepoint store. There are probably several older local needlpointers that have one. Every once in awhile I pull it out and work on it then something new comes along and it goes back in the drawer. I love to get it out because it is so relaxing to work on. I think in 2009 this rug may get finished.