I just discovered a new blog. it is called Older Rose and is wonderful. Gerry has made some of the most wonderful things and gives great tutorials as well. Here is a beautiful pincushion that she made and will be giving away:



Isn't it gorgeous. I would love to win this! It is 8" high and is on a weighted base. I can just see it sitting on the table next to my stitching chair. You know how I love my red but this one is absolutely gorgeous! Wish I knew how to make them.








She also is giving away some of her hand painted MOP buttons. I can just see these on a Crazy Quilt!

I will definitely be following this blog. I cannot wait to see what she does next!











Until next time...

What Next?

Whew! I just finished up three models that needed to be done quickly and will be able to get back to some personal stitching. Now to decide what to stitch on. Should I continue with my Zentangle or my Jeanne Ries or one of my other 30+ wips!!!! While a frustrating decision to make it is nice to have so many wonderful things to stitch on.

I also just finished up the models for two new designs from me--MadStitcherDesigns! So now I just have to find the time to do the instruction sheets, get them photographed and ready to release. I am hoping to have this competed for an early September release. I will post it here first so keep watching!

Until next time...

WIPs

As promised here is my Odds and Ends through part 2. This one is very colorful and lots of fun to stitch. I am using up lots of leftover silks for this one!



















I also was able to continue on Zentangle so I now have it up through part 6. This is not a good photo but it is getting too big for the scanner and the heavy fabric kept sliding out! Next time I will have to pull out the camera and see if that is better. I am so loving this one I can hardly put it down. I seem to finish up parts when the moderaters in Germany are sleeping and I have to wait to get the next parts. But I will be caught up with this one soon I hope.
















I have a couple of days before my next model arrives so I am trying to get some personal stitching done. I do have other things that I need to work on but these have been so much FUN!!

Until next time...

Well I restarted my Zentangle SAL from the Stiichelounge Yahoo group and I am much happier with both the color and the coverage. I am using a variegated red silk on 35 ct white linen. I cannot wait to get the next parts of this one. It is so much fun to stitch.












I also got the next part of the Odds & Ends SAL from Tams Creation finished and will share the photo of that one tomorrow. I finished my current model and it was so much fun to stitch something for me this weekend.

Until next time...

A Special Gift

Today I want to share with you a very special gift I received from my dear friend, Linda. This set of project bags are absolutely beautiful. She knows how much I love red and this toile fabric is wonderful. The bags have pockets on the outside as well as the inside zipped pocket. The large bag has a slim pocket for a pen or hilighter and two other pockets and the small one has one pocket on the outside. I just love these. Thank you so much Linda! If you would like to see other bags from Linda check it out here: Votre Grandmere

Catching up

Things have been very hectic around here. I have been busily stitching on a model and on a consignment piece which I got finished this week while taking care of my step-daughter who had surgery. I thought you might like to see a photo of it but it isn't very good. I had to take the pic quickly so I could get in in the mail to its new owner.














This is Ann Kirby from the Scarlett Letter. It came as a kit with 38 ct linen and DMC floss.

I have also joined a couple of SALs with the Stichelounge yahoo group. I have finished part 1 of Odds & Ends by Tam's Creations designed especially for this group and is done with her permission. I am stitching mine on 30 ct Northern Cross linen in white using up all of my bits and pieces of silk fibers.


















And Zentangle 2 stitched on white 35 count linen using an *almost* black silk. I am not sure I like this. But I don't know if it is the coverage or the fact that the floss is not quite true black. Will have to think about this one for a bit.



















Well I am now home again and have to get lots of things done. And back to my model. Till next time...

Another New Blog!

I have found another new blog and she is offering a giveaway. For anyone who is interested visit Silver Threads and Golden Needles. Here is a photo of the lovely Chatelaine she will be giving away. And be sure to check out her blog. It is a wonderful place to visit.

Happy Independence Day!

Hi Everyone! I hope you are all enjoying you holiday! I am. I am getting ready to jump in the pool and then we are going to grill burgers and pig out! Well not really pig out--but we are going to enjoy the food. We love grilled hamburgers with lots of fresh veggies and ice cold tea or lemonade! Then it will be Braves baseball for me. Go Braves!

I am also putting the finishing touches on my new design model so I am still on target for an August release. I do hope I can get everything done. As soon as I can I will give you all a sneak peek!

On the house front still nothing! I am very close to just taking it off the market until (or is that *if*) the economy recovers. I really need to get to some of my things that are packed up. I want my stash around me!!!

I am hoping to get a pic of my Jeanne Ries tomorrow and post it for you to see. I am loving the way it is turning out. If you would like to join in our SAL just come on over to my forum We would love to see you there. It is so quiet and I am feeling very lonely!

So now go enjoy your weekend. Watch a ballgame and Stitch!

Until next time....

Blue Fridays...

I received this excerpt in my box today and decided this is something I definitely will support and wanted to share here also. Will you were Blue, please?

Blue Fridays.

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing blue every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority' We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something blue. By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of blue much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in BLUE and it will let our troops know the once 'silent' majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on. The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is .'We need your support and your prayers.' Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something blue every Friday.

Crazy Quilting asnd Giveaway

Pat Winter is a wonderful Crazy Quilt artist and if you have never seen any of her work then you should visit her at http://gatherings100.blogspot.com/. She is also having a Summer Giveaway if you are interested. If I win her giveaway I will be adding these things to my friendship quilt! She has also challenged us to do a giveaway as well so I have decided to join in the celebration of summer. So check it out on my sister blog Crazy at it's Best .

As you know I am a beginner crazy quilter and have been gathering my pieces for my friendship quilt. People from around the world have given me small stitched pieces, fabrics, trimmings and threads to add to this quilt. It will indeed be a quilt made from the Friendship of all my stitching friends. I am eager to actually start piecing the squares--unfortunately much of my stash is packed up preparing for my eventual move. If I had known it was going to take so long to sell the house, I would never have packed up all my beloved stash!!! If you would be interested in adding to my quilt project you can see all the details here. I think I may try to go ahead and start one block. I think I can come up with enough fabric to get it together and I have plenty of fibers and beads to at least get a start on it. I will keep you posted.

On the stitching front, I started my Jeanne Ries on 40 ct white linen using a beautiful red silk floss. I will try to get pictures over the weekend.

Until next time....Happy Stitching!

Summer!!! And SAL time...

Well, it turned into a very busy Spring for me and now here it is Summer already! I am still trying to sell my house so I am trying to keep up with the cleaning and organizing and that is not an easy task. The house has been on the market now for 22 months and I am very frustrated and disappointed. I am beginning to wonder if the economy is ever going to right itself. I still have half of my stash packed up in storage and the other half is packed up here in the house but, of course, whenever I need something, it is always where I cannot get to it. I really want to have my things put back out around me so that I can get to them when I want them. Oh, well, maybe someday soon.

I have finished up a couple of models and consignment pieces which I will show as soon as I am allowed. If you have been following the Ink Circles seasonal mandalas in the JCS magazine you will be glad to know that the latest one has been released in the May/June issue. I really enjoyed stitching all of these and hope you will also. I am presently trying to finish up the consignment sample Ann Kirby from the Scarlett Letter. This is being done for a friend and is about 3/4 of the way done now.

I am also working on a couple of designs of my own. I hope to be able to release them around the end of August or first of September. And they will be a series (I hope) if all goes well. I will let you know more about them as things progress.

At the moment I am itching to start my Jeanne Ries from GigiR designs-- using red silk on white fabric. And this got me to thinking. I would love to do a stitch-a-long. Would anyone like to join me? I am thinking any Bristol Orphange-type Sampler, not just Jeanne Ries or for that matter any red sampler. I would love to have company for this one. I will set up a forum over on my message board so that we can share our experiences and photos and discuss our progress. You will need to join but this is to reduce the chances of spam and to keep the board safe for all of us. It is easy and free, of course.


Here is a photo of Jeanne Ries. If you would like to have this one you can get it from me at the MadStitcher.com Anyone wanting this one and mentions the SAL will get a 10% discount! And, of course, I have several other Bristol type designs available as well. Check out Rhoda Morley from Leisure Needle or Bristol Fashion from Long Dog Samplers. But whichever one you choose will be great and fun to watch as it progresses. Please join me.

Till next time.....Happy Stitching!

Stitching, Books and Baseball.....What every girl needs.....

So much is going on and so little time! Does anyone know where I can beg, borrow, or buy some extra time? !!!

I am not sure if I shared with you that a couple of months ago I went through a severe case of Shingles. Mine affected the left side of my face and head. For those that don't know what Shingles are--this is a viral infection that affects the nerves and it is very, very painful! As well as the pain you also get blister-like splotches which first hurt, then itch as they heal. But the worst part about mine was the location. If it had gotten into my eyes, it could have blinded me. I am so grateful that it did not affect my eyes and that the anti-virals finally healed me. During that time I could not stitch at all and could only sleep for the most part. I am bringing this up now because I have just gotten over another episode. This time I recognized it immediately and got the anti-viral meds right away so the case was much lighter and less debilitating. I am pleased to say that I am better now and back to my stitching! Now if I can just get caught up with everything!!! I am so far behind.

I did get a chance to actually read a book! I haven't had the time to do any reading lately and I missed it! Therefore, since I couldn't stitch, I pulled out one of my long neglected books and read it it over the weekend.

I have also been watching my Atlanta Braves on TV! Have I mentioned how much I love baseball? I cannot wait for opening day each year and dread for the final game of the world series to end! Are there any other baseball fans out there? I wish I lived close enough to go to the games but I will just make do with my TV. This year we have a fighting chance to get back into the playoffs.

Till next time...Go Braves!

What's Happening with me...

I thought I would take a few minutes to share what I have been up to for the last little while. First of all I finished up two models for Tracy at Ink Circles ( Turkish Delight released at the online needlework show and the latest mandala for JCS) and two for Vilma at Examplars From the Heart (Shepherd and Shepherdess and one not yet released).

And as I shared my biscornu from Camp StitchAway last time I thought I would share a photo of the needlebook I made to go with it. Using the biscornu pattern as a guide I came up with this one:

These were stitched on antique white 20ct linen using Ginnie Thompson Flower Thread and DMC Perle Cotton for the Cobblestone stitch. The biscornu was topped off with a cute ladybug button. They were lots of fun to make. When I finished the needlebook I was very surprised to find a matching silk ribbon in a d-bag of silk ribbon I have. I did not expect to find one such a perfect match!

This set was done for a very special lady and I will be sending it off to her on Monday. But I plan to make another for myself!

When I finished my latest model I began a commissioned piece. It is a sampler from the Scarlett Letter called Ann Kirby. It is stitched on a 36 ct linen with DMC threads. The threads really look a bit darker IRL but I just couldn't get a really good photo of it.



So as you can see I have been very busy. I have also been doing some designing and will be making an announcement soon. I have a couple of things in the works from that direction. But off now to do some more stitching. Till next time....

Kathy aka The MadStitcher
.....The Original: Beware of Imitations.....
http://www.madstitcher.com

Photo of my Camp Project

I thought I would share a photo of the Biscornu project we did this weekend at Camp Stitchaway. This project included the Cobblestone stitch and unfortunately I have not been able to get a really clear photo showing the wonderful lacy-ness of this stitch. But maybe you can get the idea. The fabric is cream linen and the cobblestone stitch is done with cream pearl cotton. The cross stitch, herringbone stitch and backstitch/closing is done with Ginnie Thompson Flower Thread. And it has a wonderful Ladybug Button Bead in the center. It is so cute! I am making a matching needlebook to go with it!

Camp StitchAway!

I just returned from a wonderful stitching retreat at the Big Lynn Lodge in Little Switzerland, NC in the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This was the most wonderful setting for a retreat. The view was fantastic, the accommodations were enjoyable, the staff members were remarkable , the food was delicious, the campers were fun-tastic, the teacher was wonderful and our hosts (Peggy and Carol) were incredible! I arrived on Thursday afternoon and was welcomed as though by a family member and by the time I left today I felt like part of a family. Vicky and Hoyt (and of course Bailey--their adorable 5 year old!) were wonderful. They even brought Vicky's personal recliner from their home so that I would have a comfortable place to sleep. Meals were an adventure and the wait staff made it a totally enjoyable experience. Even provided seconds if we asked! They always included freshly baked bread still warm from the oven and the best food one could ask for. And all the desserts were freshly made by Vicky and Hoyt. Thursday evening was free time, but those of us that had arrived early gathered in the dining room and stitched and renewed friendships and caught up with everyone. There was much laughter and talking and sharing. On Friday morning we gathered for breakfast and then just stayed on to stitch. Since the lodge had opened for the season a week early just for us we had the entire place to ourselves. That evening everyone assembled and we had a lovely project to do and I actually finished my very first Camp Stitchaway project! It was a matchbox cover with a mountain view that certainly reminds us of the view out the windows there at the lodge. We were given a tea light candle and candle dish, some mini marshmallows and tooth picks so we could have our own personal marshmallow roast! Show and Tell was lots of fun and I enjoyed seeing all of the wonderful projects that everyone brought to share. Hopefully, next year, I will be able to bring some things to share as well. Then Saturday we had our class project--a lovely biscornu--designed as only our lovely Meg (Meg Thompson Shinall) could do. We learned the cobblestone stitch and I was actually able to finish mine while there. I plan to give this one away to a dear internet friend but I bought extra fabric so I can do another for myself. On Saturday afternoon, Kiki and Pat took June and me up to Spring Maid to show us the bunk house where camp has always been before. While I know everyone had fun there, I must confess that I am so glad that Peggy changed venue so that I can join in. I know I could never have made it in the bunkhouse. Saturday evening we finished our projects and Nancy had written a wonderful play for us. The actors were amazing and we all learned the origin of yodeling!

Today as we said our goodbyes, I was really sad to leave. I met some wonderful new friends, re-visited with some old friends and refreshed my soul. While my body is tired, I am relaxed and refreshed in mind and spirit. Thank you to all who made this weekend so lovely for all of us--but for me in particular. You know who you are! I cannot wait till next year.

Until next time....Happy Stitching!

Catching up!

It seems lately that each time I come to post I get side-tracked. I have been so busy getting the website up and running and keeping the selling blog updated that I have totally neglected this one. But hopefully that will change now. The new website is up. Please check it out at MadStitcher.com. The selling blog also is still open for special orders, consignment stitching orders and a few other things that we have planned. So don't forget to check there occasionally also-- The MadStitcher & Company And finally we have our Message Board open and would love to have you all join us there for lots of talking, sharing, learning, enabling, and maybe even some laughter! Forum

Now on to the personal side of things.

I had so much to share with you right after Christmas but now everything seems like old news. I have been getting a little stitching done. I did the Winter Mandala and the Spring Mandala for Ink Circles which have now been published in Just Cross Stitch Magazine. I have also finished two models for Examplars From the Heart.

Shy Philomena:


















and Walk Beside Me:















Now I am stitching another model but I am also in design mode and have two designs in progress right now. I am hoping to be able to share them with you soon.

Please check back often as I am hoping things will begin to even out a bit. Till next time...Happy Stitching!

Christmas is Here!

Before we get all wrapped up in Holiday Cheer, Family gatherings and other activities I wanted to take a moment to wish you each a very Merry Christmas!


This year has been especially difficult for me and Christmas was going to be non-existent for me this year--no tree...no gifts...no feast...no anything. Until yesterday. The Christmas holidays are always so busy and difficult for all the families to juggle visits with in-laws, out-laws, and whomever so the Bonham family has always gotten together a few days before Christmas for our annual gathering. And this year was no different. Yesterday was that day for us. My step-daughter, Wilma, both grand children and their families came to my house. We don't get to see each other often so that makes it even more special. I have three wonderful great-grandchildren--Thomas, Jeb and Kaitlin. I was so sad and disappointed that I didn't have any gifts for them except for their annual goody bag of fresh fruits, crackers and a few pieces of Christmas candy. But funds just did not exist this year. One thing I did have was my *princess* crown jewels from the Seaside retreat this year so I knew one little girl would love to play dress-up. So I gave her these and she was thrilled with them.































And with her Lady-in-Waiting (her Mom, Kathy)















At one point Kaitlin performed for me the song that she had sung in her play at pre-school--Happy Birthday, Jesus! And it was wonderful! And I was reminded by a very special little 3 year old girl just what was important. From the mouth of babes...I was reminded of the true meaning of Christmas and the true meaning of family. Just spending a few hours with my family was all the Christmas I need. I am truly blessed.

So for now may I just wish each of you a wonderful and safe Christmas with those you love and
May the Joy, Peace, Love, and Happiness of this season sustain you throughout the coming year.

My Stitching Cabinet

A few weeks ago when we had our get together, Vilma wanted to see some of my finished pieces and liked my curio cabinet where I display all of my smalls and boxes. I managed to get a picture of it where
the flash didn't distort it too much. So I thought I would show it to you so you could see just how much I have done so far. I love smalls and boxes and love stitching them. When you click on the photos you can get a better look at it. On the top shelf you will see my Grape threadkeeper, my Friends Across the Sea Necessaire, and my Japanese Octagonal Box with toys. On the second shelf you will see my Mystic Meadow Box and Toys, My Treasures Workstation, The Ultimate Needlebook, Two necessaires done in different color palettes, bookmarks, mail art, and needlebooks. On the third shelf is my Mermaid Treasure Box and Toys, and a candle ring. Vilma was particularly fond of the Mermaid Box with the pin keep, scissors pouch and fob. There are so many beads and sparklies on it and it is finished inside with Dupioni Silk. I just love it, too!









I have a couple of other things that need to go into the cabinet --My Sampler Garden Casket, my Flowers For a Friend Stitching Bag, and my beautiful bourse that Lauren made for me. As soon as I finish My Ladies Cabinet I will be adding it to the collection as well.

Seaside!

Every year in November I attend a stitching retreat and workshop at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It is sponsored by Meg Thompson Shinall of the Flower Thread Company and The Stitch & Frame Shop. The workshop is held from Friday evening through Sunday morning. But my friends Kiki and Jeannie and I decided to stay the following week to relax and stitch and enjoy the salt air and ocean sounds. So on Thursday evening Nov 12 Kiki arrived at my house. She spent the night here and we got up early Friday morning, packed up the car and headed out. The journey was uneventful. The weather was overcast but not raining and the temperature was comfortable. The drive takes about 4 and a half hours from my house to the condo where we were staying. We stopped a couple of times but waited until we hit the Grand Strand before we had lunch. We then checked into the condo and started getting our *nest* ready to go. As you know the most important thing was to get our stitching paraphernalia all set up and ready to stitch. Jeannie and Bob then arrived and we had a short while to talk with them before it was time to leave. This year the theme was The Hunter's Moon--the eleventh in the twelve Moon series. And so, of course, there must be dragons! In keeping with this year's theme, some of our group elected to go to the Medieval Times Dinner Theater that evening and one of our group has an inside man there--her husband! Diane and Randy made our evening even more special than it already was. They took care to make sure that I (and my chair) would be able to maneuver everywhere. And our group had front row seats! If you have never heard of or seen this performance you really should. There are Castles located in several cities across the US and the show if absolutely marvelous. Check it out here: Medieval Times First we had dinner and our meal was served by our serving wench. Our menu consisted of Dragon Blood ( Tomato Bisque), Dragon Wings and Dragon Tongue (potato wedges and garlic bread), and a main course of Baby Dragon which tasted just like chicken! Dragon Claws (apple turnovers) for dessert and Mead (Pepsi for me) to wash it all down with made a wonderful meal! And as you know in the eleventh century there were no such things as spoons and forks so everything was eaten with the hands! After our meal the games began. There was jousting among other games and then a fight to the death to rescue the prince from the evil Green Knight. We had so much fun and I was treated like a princess.

After the theater we returned to the hotel for our introductions and show and tell. There are so many talented stitchers in this group and it was truly wonderful to see all the projects that had been done. We adjourned and went back to the condo and stitched until 2 am! I took my Fairy Garden Mandela from Chatelaine with me to work on. The next morning we returned to the hotel where we had our first class. The sampler is a beautiful knight and dragon at the Hunters Moon. I will try to post a pic of it soon. It is using several specialty stitches so our morning progress piece was learning the hemstitch. This is a drawn thread stitch that I have been wanting to try for a long time so I was especially glad to have it taught here. At lunchtime we had our group photos taken and then a marvelous lunch served by the hotel. We had lots of time to talk, laugh, and better get to know each other. That afternoon we learned the H stitch which is another drawn thread technique. I was able to complete my bookmark using this stitch during the class. Then we had a bit of free time for dinner and shopping or stitching. Kiki and I met up with Jeannie and Angel at McAllisters for a delicious baked potato and soup and then stitched until class resumed. Saturday night was our Christmas ornament exchange and our fun time together. Nancy is a wonderful playwrite and she produced a play for us to perform. It was St George and the Dragon and we each had a part. This was hilarious and Diane was perfect as St George and Angel made a superb Dragon. I was the Princess, of course, who won St George's heart. This was the most fun I have had in quite a while! Saturday night Kiki and I stayed up late stitching again. Then on Sunday morning returned to the hotel for our last time together. We received a special project from Meg and our class *pins* then sadly we said goodbye to the rest of the group. After a quick lunch and a Walmart run, Kiki, Jeannie and I settled into the condo and began stitching to our hearts content. I made so much progress on my Fairy Garden--even though I am still working around some back-ordered fibers.

The rest of the week was so restful. We got lots of stitching done, ate lots of seafood, and enjoyed the wonderful salt and and sea breeze. On Friday we made a trip to Build-a-Bear where Kiki got a bear for her newest grand-daughter and Frosty for herself! And then to the Fudgery where I got some fudge and salt water taffy. I just isn't a trip to the beach without the taffy! then we headed home. The trip was uneventful but a bit tiring. We got to my house about 7 pm and unloaded everything and reloaded Kiki's car. She spent the night with me then headed home on Saturday morning. I must say that this was one of my best retreats ever. We are planning to spend some extra time at the beach again next year.

So now it is back to the real world....Till next time, Happy Stitching!

Another Adventure

The day after the seatbelt battle, Bunny and I decided to go to Rock Hill for stitch night at our favorite needlework shop--The Stitch & Frame Shop. It is about an hour and a half drive so I can't get there often but with Bunny visiting I knew it would be fun.. Again Bunny wanted to drive so I carefully *pretended* to fasten my seatbelt but there was no way I was giving that car another chance to attack--or so I thought! When we got to Rock Hill we decided to have a bite to eat first and then go to the shop. So when we got to the restaurant, the battle was on again. The car decided that it would not let me out of the car this time! I could not for the life of me get my leg out. Now remember that I am usually driving and exit with my left leg first but as a passenger I had to get out with my right leg first and I couldn't manage it. Finally after twisting and turning and generally performing a contortionist act I manged to get the right leg out and with Bunny's help pull the rest of me out also. I swear that car is a demon in disguise! We finally got to the shop and I managed to get out a bit more gracefully this time. There were about 10 of us there and it was so much fun to see everyone and meet a couple of new people. We got back home about 10:00 pm and I was finally back in my house safe and sound--Kathy 2, Car 0!