Thursday, May 17, 2012

Flower frogs, flowers and Seasons

I seriously don't know how people can do weekly updates! Here it is, almost a month since the last update for me.

First up, I was the winner on Debra's blog of my first flower frog. Isn't is just packaged so pretty?

She is a Michigander too and actually lives in my old home town! We have never met, but I feel a certain connection with her and I've been trying to get her to come this direction to the "antique capital of the world" LOL that is just 15 minutes from my home. Maybe someday! Anyway she sent this lovely "frog" along with a new pair of scissors. She didn't believe me when I told her I only had 2 pair! The bottom was a tarnished silver and I didn't want to mess with polishing it frequently so Carl used his spray paint once more and now I have an oil rubbed bronze finish to it! It sits with pride in my craft room on my desk! Thanks so much Debra. I don't feel left out anymore!



I'm still plugging away on Seasonal Collide. I have 2 more pages done and just 2 more to go. The full album can be seen on Multiply (on blogger just click on the tab on my heading) This is over 100,000 stitches and I have less than 7000 to complete. I also finished the top to put on my box for my internet class. I'll share that when my box is completed. That's it for the stitching update. I haven't "finished" the April cottage and I haven't started May or June either. I do like the July cottage, so I think I will get that one done as soon as possible, once I get it! I did buy some new stash for myself  with the Mother's Day sales.
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Have you heard of THE STITCHERS VILLAGE? Are you a member? Do you participate? It's a shame that there are over 1500 members, but very few take advantage of the social forums. I have to admit, until a few months ago I was one of those. But now I have been visiting the village regularly and have figured out how to navigate the different groups, discussions, forums etc. If you are a member, go HERE and click on forums or groups and join in ANY discussion. If you aren't a member you should really think about joining. I like it because it's all in one place and has many groups for different interests, on and off topics and lots of caring people who all enjoy our same passion for stitching. If you are a member, put TSV logo on your blog like I have on my sidebar. Let's get more people involved! It's a great site where you can find your nitch, whatever that might be!
Since we're past the "freezing" stage in MI, I planted all my pots a couple weeks ago. Since we redid our deck and made it into a stamped patio, I didn't do as many hanging baskets and have them in pots on stands instead. This is just one pot of the 7 or so I did. The tree is called a Duranta, and I just fell in love with it when I saw it.




 

 
And the last photo I'll leave you with is our 4 generations on Mother's Day. Unfortunately I didn't get 
one of me and my 2 kids!




























Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Blog Hop, Stand or not?

Stitching the Night Away Stitching Bloggers Blog Hop

 Do you use a stand when you stitch? If so, tell us about it and share pictures if you’ve got them. If not, would you like to try using a stand? Do you have any tips or tricks around using a stand versus not using a stand?

This is always a hot topic among stitchers. I haven't participated in this blog hop before, but I thought I would put in my 2 cents worth. Especially since this is easier to do than update my blog! :-)
I have had my stand for a couple years now. Mine is called the Needlework System 4. I purchased it because I wanted a more streamline frame than the bulkier wooden ones. I stitch at my loveseat and it had to be able to go completely under the bottom of the couch. I don't sit upright when I stitch.I either have my feet up on the coffee table, or I'm stretched out width wise on it! An optional feature is the curved piece you see at the top. This allows the frame to be closer and I can adjust the height from there also. I can see the TV over the top. It also is lightweight, (the stand is 2.5 lbs) so I can move it from my "normal" area to down in the basement when the husband wants to watch the "big" TV for a movie. The other thing I love about it is that I can flip the piece with ease to either start or finish my threads. No loosening  of nuts or wheels to do that. I rarely have to tightened the scrolls, they stay really tight. You can get either or both the Qsnap adaptor or scrolls. I only bought the scroll (which also comes in 2 widths) because I don't own any Qsnaps. I couldn't live without my stand for my large pieces. I don't use it for every piece I stitch though. Hope that enlightens a few people out there! I bought mine through this website Threadneedle street and it has much more info on it. Just click on Accessories.

Visit all the blogs in this round of the Stitching the Night Away Stitching Blogger Blog Hop:
Find the instructions on how to participate in this round by clicking here.