Friday, December 5, 2008

Monthly Floss/Fiber Giveaway and some other stuff

This month it will be a Silken Chenille from Thread Gatherers. I ask that you post a note in the comments [with your e-mail address] explaining why you would like to try this fiber and how you might use it. I will choose a winner on December 11.

As to my progress on The Sweetheart Tree's Holly and Hearts Sampler, here is a photo showing my stitching. I completed all the beading in Row 2 as well as the Rhodes Heart and Multicolor Half Diamond Wednesday night.

Then, on Thursday, rows 7 and 8. The crystal heart that was accidentally left out of the kit arrived in the mail just in time to be added in its proper space. Thus far today, I have completed Row 9-12: the silver metallic herringbone stitch, the backstitched line in green, the combination of cross stitches, satin stitches and beading and deep red cross stitches with silver beads. And I have started on Row 13 which is another large area of vining and tracery in the shape of a heart with inserts of lattice work, Rhodes Hearts and an alphabet. I expect to be on Row 13 for a very long time ... probably 3 or 4 days.

The specialty stitches are a joy and, for the most part, relatively quick stitches. It is the backstitching that slows me down though I believe I have finally found my ryhthm with this piece. While at the Mystic retreat, I picked up another Sweetheart Tree chart, The Cherry Blossoms Biscornu. Since the retreat project also included the Holly and Hearts Ornament and, either in the goodie bags or door prizes, the Fourth Day of Christmas Ornament chart ... I now have a fairly respectable sampling of this new-to-me designer's charts. Not my usual style but one I shall certainly enjoy as a change of pace from time to time. Very delicate designs, a refined color palette, lots of interesting and challenging stitches and loads of the beading I love. For all the beads Sandy uses in her pieces, the projects always finish up looking elegant ... never cheap, gaudy or glitzy. I saw over 40 of her model pieces while on the retreat and admired all of them. It's the quality of the beads she uses and her unerring designer's instinct that maintain the high aesthetic standard. In any case, I am very glad to have found another designer whose charts are such a pleasure to stitch ... and isn't that what stitching retreats are all about?

10 comments:

Zen said...

This is my first visit to your blog site and I love it. I must make it a point to visit it often if only to look at your lovely stitching. I confess I was drawn to it because of the giveaway. Well, who doesn't want freebies? The jewel colors of the silk are so lovely and would be ideal for a sampler. Thanks for your generous giveaway and good luck to all who join.

Mary said...

Hi - I started reading your blog after the Mystic retreat - I'm the one that sat in front, from Minnesota.

SO impressed by your progress on the project - it's looking lovely. You are a devoted stitcher!

I'd like to try your floss giveaway becasue I've never even seen silken chenille.

Thanks for the opportunity

m_kaeding @ hotmail.com

(no spaces, of course)

Zen said...

Sorry, I forgot to leave my e-mail address (zrtaroy at gmail.com)

Dani - tkdchick said...

That is still gorgeous!!! I just love it.

As for the ornament I've been working on the Holly and Ivy ornaments were a class taught this past fall by Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams and Teresa Wentzler of TW Designworks. These charts are exclusive designs and are not being relaeased. Teresa designed the Holly Side (which I turned into an ornament and you can find a picture of around the beginning of November on my blog) the Ivy side is by Jennifer.

Linda said...

Hi and Merry Christmas. I do not have access to many specialty flosses so would love the chance to try this one.
Thank you for the chance.
Linda
softkey@shaw.ca

trillium said...

I'd love to have this. There are no specialty needlework shops in my area, and my budget has not allowed me to purchase these lovely overdyed threads online. I'm asking for a peacock design as a Christmas present, and I'd love to stitch it with this thread. Thanks for holding the giveaway.

My email link is on my blog. Marie W.

Simchah said...

I would love to try this floss, as this is the first time I have seen/heard of it. I think it would be perfect for a simple sampler I am designing for a coworker.
Simchah
simchah_il@yahoo.com.au
(don't let the .au fool you - I am in Norfolk VA USA)

Simchah said...

I would love to try this floss, as this is the first time I have seen/heard of it. I think it would be perfect for a simple sampler I am designing for a coworker.
Simchah
simchah_il@yahoo.com.au
(don't let the .au fool you - I am in Norfolk VA USA)

LadyRose said...

I am a new reader of your blog. I often come to just admire your work. I would like to enter your giveway. I am brand new to using different types of floss and fibers. Having done most of my stitching from kits I would like to start branching out. You are so kind to be offering this giveaway. I can see a sampler in my future! Good luck to everyone that enters!
lady_rose_black @ yahoo . com (no spaces!)

Stitcher said...

Dear Fiber-Enabling Queen ;P

Thank you so so much for the gorgeous Belle Soie Sister Scarlet from your last monthly fiber giveaway. It's so rich! Wow!
Also, thank you for the wonderful greeting card; I have never seen one quite like that before and have to say that it is a fantastic idea!
I'm not entering this giveaway as I've already been positively spoiled by you.

Just Tickled to Bits,
Erynne :o)