Patchwork

Today I thought I would share with you a photo of my Jan Houtman Sampler *Patchwork*. I omitted the personalization within it and charted out the rest of the motifs instead. I really like the way it turned out. It is stitched on white linen using Vikki Clayton's HDF's
and believe it or not--no fibers were used more than once! I used a combination of regular, premium and #12 perle silk in both solid colors and varigated/overdyed colors to make it truly one of a kind. It was so much fun to stitch.

Catching up

I thought I would take a few minutes to start catching up on all that has been going on with me over the last few months. If you remember my son was re-doing my kitchen for me. Well, it looks great! He painted the walls and ceiling, resurfaced and painted all the cabinetry, replaced all the hinges and hardware to a beautiful brushed Nichol finish, and replaced all the outlet and light switch covers to brushed Nichol. Before it was dark paneling and dingy. Now it is light bright and airy and I love it.

Jason has also spend a remarkable amount of time in the yard--trimming, removing and re-planting the foliage and prepping the pool area and keeping it nice and sparkly.

We have also painted the master bedroom and one guest room and have continued the decluttering and organizing preparing the house to sale. When we get finished I know it will look great. I just hope the market will appreciate all the hard work we have put into it.

I have made a dent in the decluttering of my Mom's things but to be honest it is more difficult to get rid of her things than it is my own. But I have made the decidion that I don't need things to make me remember so I am taking some photos and plan to make a memory book and am getting rid of most of the *stuff* here in this house. I know my son will appreciate it--it will save him a lot of heartache and hard work when the time arrives.

I will try to get some photos of my kitchen in the next few days. Until then. Take care and Happy Stitching!

Seaside Stitching Retreat

I cannot believe it has been so long since I came here but things has been absolutely CRAZY at my house. Over the next few days I will try to catch you up on all that has been happening but in the meantime I wanted to share my most recent experience.

Once again this year I gave myself a birthday present—a stitching retreat/workshop in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with Meg Thompson Shinall of The Flower Thread Company. I just got back and thought I would share my experience.

For the last three weeks I have been fighting the *creeping crud* so I’ve been slow in getting things together and even had my doubts that I would be able to go. But on Sunday night I decided that since I am no longer contagious that I am going!—NO MATTER WHAT!!!

Monday AM: I arise and start a load of laundry and load up the dishwasher. Then I pull out my stitching bag. After all I do have my priorities straight. Stitching before anything else! I repack and make sure I have everything I need for the week….C-clamp for my magnifier, extension cord, tools, Ort container, etc….and then added a project to work on in the hotel until we get the class project. Once done I grab my travel medicine bag and make sure that I have enough meds for the next week. And lastly I clean out my purse to lighten the load and make sure I have all the necessities—especially tissues and cough drops.

Tuesday AM: I arise with a sense of excitement. I pull out my suitcase and begin to pack the necessities. Deciding what to take is simple and this doesn’t take very long. The problem is running the checklist and making sure I haven’t forgotten anything. I plug in my power chair to make sure it is fully charged and then head for the shower. At about 7:00PM my friend, Kiki, arrives at my house to spend the night. We talk and catch up on all the news, plan our departure, partially load the car, and then go to bed.

Wednesday AM: We arise early and get the car loaded. After checking that all the lights were off, etc., we load the power chair and get on the road. Kiki decides to drive and give me the opportunity to be passenger for a change. The drive is filled with talk, laughter, and sharing. We don’t stop until just outside of Myrtle Beach where we have lunch and stretch our legs. We get to the hotel and check in. We are staying in a three bedroom condo with four other friends and soon they all begin to arrive as well. That evening we decide to just relax and stitch so Jeanne cooks dinner for us and I finally get to work on my new grandson’s Christmas Stocking which has to be finished by Dec 9^th. We stitch until late and then retire for the evening.

Thursday AM: Something woke me very early and I opened my eyes to the most beautiful sunrise-- the most gorgeous pinks, oranges, purples, and blues. I watched until the horizon had turned light blue and then drifted back off to sleep. I feel that I alone was given a gift. Later we arose and spent a leisurely day stitching. Some of the girls decided to go shopping but I chose to remain behind.

Friday AM: About 6:00 AM I awoke to what sounded like dripping water and I thought that someone had failed to turn the bathroom faucet completely off. I got up to turn it off but as I went by the kitchen I realized it was the coffeemaker! I went to the bathroom and then returned to the sofa (which is my bed) and drifted back off to sleep. A few minutes later I was startled by a loud crashing noise as Helen dropped a dish in the sink. We all began to stir and get ready for the day. We were so eager for the class to begin. We stitched for a while and after a wonderful lunch, it was time to go. We reached the classroom and *staked* out our seats. We then began to renew our friendships with other Seasiders and catch up with what they had been doing. It was then Meg arrived with our class info and our welcome package. After introductions and a preview of what we had in store we broke for dinner and waited for the official class to begin. Kiki, Jeanne, Tracy and I went out for my *mandatory* seafood dinner and we returned to the classroom satiated and eager for the class to start. The theme for Seaside each year is the *Full Moon Series* and this year is the Wheat Moon. The first practice project is a wonderful notepad cover using a scarecrow and field demonstrating several of the specialty stitches used in the main sampler. When we adjourn we are all tired but very excited about class the following morning. It seems like we laughed and talked for hours and got to bed quite late.

Saturday AM: It was very difficult to get up this morning but we managed to get to class on time. We worked on the specialty stitches in our Scarecrow design and I even managed to finish mine by the end of the allotted time. We had a wonderful lunch and took a group photo before we returned to the classroom. The next practice piece incorporated the rest of the specialty stitches. It was a drawn thread design which would be finished into an ornament. I also finished this one—just have to *finish* each of the projects into the ornie and the notepad cover. We broke for dinner but I decided to go back to the suite and rest before reconvening for the fun part of the day—the Reindeer Games. There was going to be an ornament exchange, a tote search, and other fun things. Kiki dropped me off at the elevator and I told her I would be okay to walk up to the room alone. When I got back to the room I realized just how tired and painful I was feeling. I also realized that I had forgotten my room key. It was quite a walk over to the office and I knew I would never make it. I called Kiki but she had not yet turned on her cell phone. (We turned them off for class.) I tried another roommate and got her voice mail. While I was trying to decide what to do a maid came by. She wasn't allowed to open the door for me but she did call security for me. A few minutes later the security person arrived and let me in the room. I really needed to go to the bathroom but he chose this moment to talk with me a while. Finally he left and I made it to the toilet--just barely! Teach me not to check for my key sooner!! When I got back to the room I realized just how tired and painful I was feeling. Instead of eating I chose to just rest and relax a while. By the time the rest of the group got back to the suite I realized that I wouldn’t be able to go back to the class but Kiki said she would do the ornie exchange for me. So I went to sleep. When they returned they told me about the fun they had and I wish I had been able to join in. But the ornament I received was the one Helen had made and it was beautiful. We packed up everything before going to bed as we had to check out in the morning before class. It was sad to be leaving.

Sunday AM: We all arose early and finished up the packing and loading of the cars. We arrive at the classroom and receive a bonus design from Meg and our Seaside Charm to attach to our nametags. This year’s charm was a scarecrow. We then went over questions about the project and discussed our next Seaside which would be the Harvest Moon. We decided to give it a Thanksgiving theme but also to again have the ornament exchange. Saying goodbye to everyone is always difficult, since we are from so many different places—as far away as Oman (in the Middle East), Nevada, Florida, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Georgia, as well as North and South Carolina. Most of us only get to see each other once a year. This trip is always such a boost for me. I realize just how many people I have praying for me and being supportive. It always reiterates just how wonderful needle workers are.

Kiki and I get back on the road and once more the car is filled with laughter and reviewing all the things we just experienced. We stop for a late lunch just outside of Columbia and then head on home. We arrive at my house about 4:30 PM and get the car unloaded and we collapse. We don’t realize how tired we are until we sit down. Kiki decides to spend the night and leave for Monroe in the morning. We have a very early night and fall into bed exhausted.

Monday AM: Kiki gets an early start back home and I collapse once more! I love these weekends and they brings so much joy to my life but they do take a tole on my body. All I can say now is…IS IT SEASIDE YET?

FAS update

Well, I finally got to spend a little time with my French Alphabet Sampler and thought I would share my progress with you. I am working on page 5 of 9 so I'm over half way finished now. I really do love the way this one is turning out. But it is BIG!!! It will be stunning over my mantle.

The chaos is still reigning but it is getting a bit better as time goes by. The cabinets are done except for the doors but at least now I can begin the task of putting the dishes away and cleaning off the horizontal surfaces. Who knows, I may be able to find the range soon! Everything is looking so good. It looks so much lighter, fresher, and much more air-y. I love it.

I am off now to begin my next models so I will have more to share soon. Stay tuned....

Forgiveness

Forgiveness, originally uploaded by The Mad Stitcher.

This is Forgiveness by Vilma Becklin of ©Examplers from the Heart. I stitched this as a model for her on cream linen using Vikki Clayton silks. The photo really doesn't do this one justice. For some reason I just couldn't get the lighting and focus right. I finished it up Saturday evening and now I've got it all ready to send home.

Still living in chaos but it gets a bit better every day. At least i have my stitching--I can do without food!

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Chaos Still Reigns

Sorry I have been away so long but chaos still reigns at my house. The kitchen is coming along and is looking absolutely wonderful but is a slow process since my son has to work around his *real* job. But I can begin to see the light of day. I will be so glad to be able to get to my dishes, pots, food once again! I really hate having to try to move around and avoid running into things or try to prepare something--even a sandwich--with no work surface to use! When we finish the kitchen he is going to continue painting the other rooms but I don't think it will be as disruptive as the kitchen has been. I will keep you updated.

I am however, getting to stitch a bit. I just this week finished up a model which I hope to be able to share with you in a day or two and am spending a little time with my FAS before starting the next one. I am making some progress and wish I could stitch on it till it is finished but I really must keep the models under control. I don't want to disappoint my designers. So little time...So much to do!

Chaos...

Whoever it was that came up with The Chaos Theary must have had a sneek peek at my home right now! Everything is out of my kitchen cabinets--in boxes in the family room and my office, and on the kitchen table with a sheet over it...or who knows where else it might be. But I can't find or use anything! I cannot cook (okay, that part isn't so bad!), I can barely get to the refrigerator! And my once organized office is long gone--and that was the first room I *re-did*!! I know that it will definitely be worth it in the long run but I have to survive this first! I don't think I will ever get the smell of Kilz primer out of my nostrils!!! That stuff is dangerous. And it sort of defeats the purpose of buying the paint that doesn't *smell*! Oh, well, as I said it will be beautiful. I really wish I had gotten to take a before photo because the after would be even more stunning. The room is going from a dark, dingy wood color (and dirty wallpaper that wouldn't come clean) to a wonderful white, sand, and sparkling clean.

I must tell you though that the wallpaper itself was once lovely but shortly after it was hung my son had an argument with a two-liter Dr Pepper and he lost! Dr Pepper went all over the walls and ceiling leaving stains that simply would not come out. So I have lived with this little reminder for quite a few years. Each time we mention it we so have to laugh about it though. The expression on my son's face was priceless and very memorable. Definitely one of those times when I wish it had been caught on film!

I'm Still Here (I think) !!

Sorry I've been gone this week but things have been totally crazy here! My son began our renovation and I am now surrounded by clutter, dust, paint paraphenalia, etc, etc, etc! I barely have a path through the kitchen and family room. My kitchen is under tarps and I can barely get to the fridge. Needless to say--take out! But it is really going to look great when he gets finished with it. I did get a little upset though. I had planned to take before and after photos. But Jason started dismantleing the cabinets while I was out so I didn't get my befores. However, I will share my afters at least--whenever I get my house back! So I may be a bit scarce for the next couple of weeks--but I will be back. Stay tuned...

Thank you!

Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to comment on my FAS. This one has been so much fun to stitch and really means a lot to me. Jenn, all the *missing* letters will turn up. In this sampler the letters are re-arranged to form the names/initials of my family members. This is what makes this sampler different and very special. I have managed to incorporate 29 names or initials into my sampler covering six generations.

Again thank you all. I will tell you all about our get-together tomorrow. Stay tuned...

French Alphabet Sampler Update

French Alphabet Sampler, originally uploaded by The Mad Stitcher.

I was able to get a quick photo of my FAS progress so I thought I would quickly share it with you. This is my progress as of March 1st. I am now over 1/3 finished--working on page 5 of 12.

Drat it!

My server has been erratic for the last three days and I have had trouble getting online--then when I do get here I get bumped off before I can save anything. Not that I've had that much to say but I do love to talk!

I have been able to get a bit accomplished on my FAS so I will share another photo very soon. I have also just been sent another model so I will be doing that during the week. I think I have mentioned here that usually when I have models to do I work on them during the week and then do personal things on weekends. This has been the best way that I have found to balance out my stitching without feeling guilty.

This weekend my *Stitching Sisters* are coming for our monthly get-together. I am looking forward to that very much. It seems to have been forever since they were here. This also means that I probably won't get here tomorrow but I'll try to give you a report on Sunday evening.

Can you believe it is March already? It seems to me that we just celebrated the New Year! Where does the time go? Speaking of time...I really must run for now. Till later....

New Stash!

Today has been a lovely day--especially nice since the weekend was rainy and dreary!--and it was topped off with a wonderful package arriving in the mail. I received my latest package from Vikki Clayton which includes the new Jan Houtman chart "Patchwork", several new silk fibers, and loads of what Vikki terms "detritus". This is the fiber "bits" and "pieces" that is left over from the dying process--pieces that are too short to skein, pieces that are experiments in colors or dying, etc. I received some of the most gorgeous colors and even a couple of full hanks of silks. I have had a ball just sorting through them and playing with it. Vikki may call it "detritus" but I call it "fabulous"! I cannot wait to actually start using some of it. I think it will be perfect for stitching "Patchwork"! But I really cannot start it right away--as much as I would like to. I really have to finish up some of the projects that I have going. I have several wips that I put on hold in order to stitch models and I really need to finish some of them up!

This past weekend I did get back to FAS for some good solid stitching and that was a joy. This piece is really going to be huge! Knowing the dimensions of a design and actually *seeing* it are two different things! I will take to get a photo update for you soon. Till later...

The Ultimate Needlebook

Judy Odell has just debuted a new project called The Ultimate Needlebook and it is wonderful. It is reminicent of Quaker style and it is a stitching toy--so something for everyone! I got mine back from Judy last week and ever since then I have been bursting at the seams to share. Now I can. This is going to be a class project--for more information go to Just A Thought

I stitched mine on white Belfast using Needle Necessites and DMC and added seed pearls to the centers of the *flowers*. It measures approximately 4" x 10" closed. It has needle pages on both sides and there at the bottom right is a Needle Custodian. This is a small emory pouch to clean your needles. It was so much fun to stitch and didn't really take that long. I am thinking about doing another one-- You know one to actually USE!

Day Dreaming

Today has been a more relaxed day for me. I have stitched quite a bit but have done absolutely nothing else. I decided to take a *day off* from everything! I haven't even turned on the TV. I have just been sitting and stitching and contemplating life--well actually I have been day-dreaming about re-doing my kitchen and family room. My wonderful son who is an expert painter and a fair handyman came in the other day and stated that it was time to bring my 1970's kitchen into the 21st century! When I asked who was going to pay for all this he said..."Mom, you'd be surprized at what a little paint will do and it won't break the bank." So we got to talking about things and he said he will do all the work--strip off the wallpaper, paint the ceiling and walls, resurface the cabinets and replace all the hardware so I can get rid of the rubber bands holding the cabinet doors closed. Since most of my appliances are fairly new that will leave only the countertops and microwave to replace. So I am going to try to figure out a way to get those. I wonder how fast I can modelstitch?!!!!!

Then in the family room he is going to paint the ceiling and walls and get rid of the dark paneling which is there now. So I will only need to decide what to do about the floor and window treatments. I can't afford to replace carpet or install my desired hardwood floors right now so I guess that will just have to wait. But I have been looking for fabric for draperies for a while now so I guess I need to make some decisions about those. Thank goodness I can sew them myself! I think if I just take things a little at a time I should be able to accomplish a lot. The countertops will be my biggest expense right now--so I am going to do some research and find out approximately what that will cost me.

The funniest thing about this whole day-dreaming thing is I have spent more time thinking about what to stitch for my new kitchen walls--and I haven't yet decided 100% on paint color! Can you tell I am a real stitcher?

My beautiful Box...

I just received the most wonderful package in the mail! It is the finished Japanese Octagonal Box designed by Martina Weber of ©Chatelaine Designs. It was professionally finished by Judy Odell of ©Just a Thought who also designed the finishing technique of this box. It was stitched on Ice Blue Belfast using a variety of silk fibers, Petite Treasure Braid, Delics Beads, Swarovski Crystals and Cultured Pearls sent to me from Thailand by a special friend while she was over there. Thank you, Becky for these treasures. The finishing is done using Black Dupioni Silk and includes the box itself, a scissors case for my sewing scissors and a scissors fob for my embroidery scissors. I enjoyed stitching this so much (I also stitched Martina's Model for this box.) but I was totally unprepared for just how beautiful it is. The photos do not do this justice. I am still dancing around the room and cannot take my eyes off it! I hope you enjoy looking at it also.

Peace Quaker

Peace Quaker, originally uploaded by The Mad Stitcher.

Today has been a very eventful day. I got a lovely call from Vilma of Examplars from the Heart and she graciously gave me permission to preview her latest two designs that I model stitched for her. The first one is Peace from her Quaker series.

Prosperity Quaker

Prosperity Quaker, originally uploaded by The Mad Stitcher.

This is the second model for Vilma of Examplars of the Heart. It is Prosperity from the Quaker Series. Each of these models were stitched on 40 ct linen in Light Sand using Vikki Clayton Silks

Rambling Again

Recently several people have asked me about my book The Ramblings of a Mad Stitcher. So I thought that I would take a few minutes here to tell you about it and answer some of the questions I have been asked.

I have been journaling since I was a young girl with her first *diary*. Over the years I have found it to be both helpful and therapeutic. It has been a way to chronicle all the things that happen in one's lifetime and also helps to relieve the stress from many of these things--my grandmother called them *Life Happenings*. Therefore, this has just become a part of my life. I will admit though, that I prefer paper and pen over the computer--it just seems more intimate somehow.

A few years ago I was going through a remarkabley stressful *Life Happening* and I was using my journal a a sounding board. On a particularly bad day I chose to share one entry with some friends on the Teresa Wentzler BB. Over a few weeks I began sharing more and more and one day I realized that many people were avidly awaiting my daily posts. So I began Rambling every day. It was suggested that I write a book. I have always enjoyed writing and had dreamed of one day being a famous author! Even so I knew I would never be a professional so I just kept on with my little stories. As my husband's condition worsened and I began seeing similar symptoms in my Mom I wanted to do something to help fight Alzeimer's. So I compiled my litttle stories and did a bit of editing and finishing and printed them up into a *book* that I made for sale to benefit the Alzeimer's Foundation. It is a self published, spiral bound, softback book and all profits go to benefit Alzeimer's research. If you are interested in ordering one of these books send me an email at mad_stitcher@yahoo.com or leave a comment here including your email address.

Thanks to everyone who has shown interest in this project. It has proven to be more therapeutic than I ever could have imagined.

Several people have also asked me how I became the *Mad Stitcher*--well that is for another day!

Feeling Better

Well I slept all day yesterday and I am feeling a bit better today. Hopefully the worse is over. The second model for Vilma is almost finished. Hopefully by tomorrow it it will be done. I have enjoyed stitching these designs and can't wait for them to be revealed so that I can share them with all of you. If you like Quakers you will love these. These are a bit different from my normal type of stitching but it has been fun doing some plain cross stitch for a change. And of course, working with Vikki's silks is always a treat.

When this is done I must get back to my Persian Iris Garden. I have been putting in about an hour a day on it (the black fabric is *killing* me!) but I really must try to do better. I have never taken this long to get a model done before and although there is no deadline, I still feel a bit guilty about it. At least I know now to never agree to stitching on black fabric again so that is a valuable lesson. I also have another of Martina's models to do shortly--as soon as I get all the materials--and Vilma has asked me to do some more for her. So now I will be able to alternate between the complex and the more simple designs so maybe they will all go faster.

I must go to bed now and try to get a good night sleep. So till tomorrow.....sweet dreams.