Well I thought I would go into a little more detail of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations going on in the UK.  Jane of Chilly Hollow showed a counted canvas for the celebration, now here is a link to One Off Needlework.  This store has multiple canvases and cross stitch kits for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations which started in February and go through June.  This is one picture of a tea cozy that is for sale,

Diamond Jubilee Tea Cozy

Tea cozy’s are a huge hit for the Diamond Jubilee.  The knitting magazines are holding a contest in the UK for the most unique commemorative one  Maybe we should do the same but for a needlepoint tea cozy, that would be fun, and practical!

If you are visiting London The Royal School of Needlework they are holding a “Royal Connections” tour, open tour dates are March 16 &17, May 16 & 26, July 6 & 7.  They also offer individual and group tours but you need to call in advance to book these.  Check out the link for more details.  I am sure they will be designing a special piece to commemorate the event, since the designed a beautiful Whitework piece for the Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton.

One other piece I kept finding was a Church Neeler, depicting the national flowers of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.

Church Neeler

You could always use this as a doorstop if you bought the small one.  Jacksons of Hebden Bridge is the source for this, and they did have an American site as well.

That’s all for now folks from your stitching expat…..

Sheena

Since it’s my Birthday I can report on anything and everything today

This is my free for all, so first there are great Trunk Shows with Discounts of 20%, Woo Hoo, my favorite!!  BeStitched in Scottsdale, AZ has Mile High Princess at the moment, I don’t know how long it will be in the store, so you better call fast or better yet if you live in the area stop by.  Click on Rhoda Resting MH2901 and you will see my favorite Halloween from Mile High at this moment.  I don’t know if they have updated the website to include their new pieces, but this is a fun canvas!  What’s The Point in Dublin, OH has Renaissance Designs and Ruth Schmuff.  Bedecked & Beadazzled in Lutherville, MD has Dream House Ventures at the moment.  Featured below is Vicki Hastings new design Once Upon a Midnight Dreary.  It truly does depict the poem very well.  The tap, tapping on the door, most likely the grim reaper; the raven, opening the broken cask, and the soul leaking out and forever on the ground; blood dripping from the heart after the raven’s beak has been removed from his heart, oh what a great canvas!  Truly the kind of canvas for those who love Forensic Mysteries!  I know call me a little strange, but different is good, I strive to be a little off beat

Once upon A Midnight Dreary - Vicki Hastings

This post was supposed to go in last weekend, but I fell off my scooter and my leg was hurting a lot.  The post was therefore postponed.  Here is last weeks photo of Un Pocito.

Itsy Bitsy Spider & Leaves

Now if you want close ups you will have to wait for the Stitch Guide to be released.  I could not resist, the eye was calling for a spider to come crawling out.  I could just see it coming from the back of the skull through to the front and over the the beads, trés cool!  The lips are coming to life as I need a break from beading.

Now here are the kitties.  This weekend the weather is supposed to be nice and the vet is coming to take them and spay all the family.  They will then be in the basement bathroom, which is very large.  We have it all set up with blankets and a cat bed, boxes lined, litter box etc.  I am going to go down on crutches and sit with them and socialize them even more, so hopefully by the end of the week they will play with me.  They will be healed and no more kittens in my back yard.

Stimpy & Noe

By the deck and their house.

My Rascal Kalohe

Always the first to the breakfast and dinner table!

Noe the Climber

Loves to climb on the tables and chairs to sun herself.  Charming with her little pink nose and white paws like her Mum!

Well folks that’s all for today, I am off to have more cake.  I can have cookies and cake all day today, to heck with weight watchers!!

Sheena

PS.  One last thing, check out Tapestry Fair’s Blog, Peggi finished Lupe, from Tony Mineri’s Stitch Guide.  What a fabulous job she did with her stitching, it looks fantastic!

I want to wish Barbara’s (Barbara Bergsten Designs daughter Sally good luck this Sunday, February 12th in Jacksonville, FL where she will be running here first Marathon.  It is a Marathon for Breast Cancer, and Barbara designed a special canvas for the event.  For each canvas sold 100% is being donated to Sally’s fundraising page, check it out, she has raised a fair amount already, but every bit helps!  Here is a picture of the Winged shoe,

Pink Ribbon Winged Shoe - Permission Granted BBD

I love the winged running shoe in the middle

I just happened to be at Wool & Willow when the Rainbow Gallery box was opened and low and behold, there was the sample rings of the the newest colors for Silk Lamé, Neon Rays, & Neon Rays +.  Now those fabulous Glow in the Dark threads are in my hands!  I just love getting new threads, next I need to get  the new Petite Silk Lamé Colors.  But here are pictures of the latest colors and threads that I have not seen before the Painters Threads, which look really great.

Painters Thread

I didn’t add the Silk lame since the threads were just a little too dark in the picture.  If and when I get the Petite Silk Lame I will post pictures of both.  Now as promised here is the fabulous poinsettia magnet, that those of us who are taking the current mystery class were lucky enough to receive.  I tell you Ruth is treating us like Diva’s with all the special treats one gets upon taking a class.  Although I think other stores are starting to follow suit for fear of being left in the dust….

c

Poinsettia Magnet

My goal this year is to actually stitch the mystery projects.  Last year I believe I stitched 2 of the projects.  But one of the projects is currently still going, the Mystery With a Twist, and yes I signed up for all of them except for the snowman as I was in the middle of moving at that time!

Well folks that’s all for now, until next time…..

Sheena

It does feel like spring has sprung.  I am so glad that Un Pocito is so colorful, she is the perfect canvas to stitch on at the moment.  When it finally does snow, if it does, then I can whip out the winter scenes 

As promised I am showing you the background stitch again.  I ripped out the previous background and now I am happy!! I also have the sequins, and they add just the right amount of Bling.

The Real Zia!

Another View

First Zia Ripped Out!

The first Zia stitch was just too small and did not look like a Zia.  Now my second Zia is perfect.  It is larger, yet allows the shading in the canvas to show through, and should not detract from Un Pocito.   If you go to the Stitches Tab you will be able to find the original Zia Stitch.  You can print this out for your own use.  I add Stitches to this Tab periodically, and when I do, I will try and blog about it.

I have to tell you that if you have not signed up for the latest Mystery Class at Bedecked & Beadazzled, well you are missing out.  I just received my package in the mail, now I have another limited edition magnet added to my collection…..I promise to show it to you next time.  Mystery Classes are my weakness, and boy am I glad, we are being treated like Queens with our fabulous magnets

That’s all for now folks,

Sheena

Well I am making some progress and some ripping.  Later this week you will see a revised background.  I am using the same thread, but the stitch will be slightly larger and look more like a Zia (New Mexico Sun).  The artist Manuel Salas is from New Mexico, I lived there for six years, and Day of the Dead is very much celebrated in New Mexico.  Hence I wanted to use the Zia symbol in this design.  My next post will show the revised background and watch for  Jane‘s since she is going  into detail about the Zia’s.

Beading and Eyes….

Beads & Eye

You can’t really tell, but the eye is stitched in Elongated Continental.  I had tried a few stitches, light stitches, but actually did not like them.  The reason for a lighter stitch will come to light shortly It is going to be a fun little addition, but one that I cannot resist.  The beads will also be sitting in different directions, some will be as I call them perky, sitting straight up and down.  Those around the eyes are stitched this way.  The purple beads sit like they have been tent stitched.  The green leafs are going to be small beaded leaf stitches, with the yellow area tent stitched using silk..  To make the face interesting and not just straight forward beading, I am incorporating some different beading techniques.  The end result is going to be spectacular, or at least I think so!!

I could literally stitch skulls endlessly, or for the time being I could.  I just love them!  I will need to stitch a pair of skull sandals to go with my bag strap   I don’t believe anyone came out with much new in the way of skulls at market from what I have seen so far.  I do like the new Neon Rays + Glow in the Dark, and will hopefully be able to get some on my hot paws soon.  The new books look fabulous, and in my mind there can never be too many.  All the different fibers, wow, we really are in heaven, it is a far cry from when I first started to needlepoint.

News flashes, Wool and Willow is having a 20% off all canvases sale until February 4th, 2012, this excludes Trunk Show canvases.  If you live in Cleveland stop in, if you don’t give them a call.  Also Needlepoint Alley is having a Super Bowl Sunday Sale, February 5th, 30% off all Canvases from 10am – 1pm, yes they are opening on Sunday for you to shop!  If you live in North Palm Beach, FL you are in luck!!

Well folks, that’s all for now, more very soon!

Sheena

Well the cat is out of the bag.  I didn’t realize Ruth was blogging about Flirty, and then she was there in front of me.  Wow, she looks great framed in sparkles.  I was born in the wrong era, although I still say I am a hippie wannabe.

Now don’t you like the new smiley’s and mustache’s?? They are all the rage right now, your child, grandchild, friend would love an i-pad cover, and how cool are they.

I am still the Stitching Sleuth, undercover, and I may tease you some more with a few stitches here and there, but for now here is a peak at Un Pocito.

Zia Stitch Started

Now this is the start of the background stitch.  Sequins will be added but I wanted to see how this would look  prior to adding the sequins.

Now for the Teeth

Pocito's Teeth

We are off to a start.  I generally don’t start stitching in the middle of a canvas, but in order to try and stitch with Jane I am going to give it a try.

I am sure everyone has been very busy trying to stay on top of the latest news in the industry.  There are many new canvases out there, but I still did not see a new Dragon.  Who knows, one may come up in the summer.  The new Charlie Harper “Wrented”is great, I can just see the bird nests being made.

Now what do you think, Orange or Purple leather?

Mod Purse - Orange or Purple

This of course is the Mod Purse, just not finished of.  I have it on good authority that I can get orange or purple leather, so what do you think?  This is going to stitch up really fast, it is on 13 count, and is going to be basketweave.  Stitching and watching a movie here I come.  I want to have this completed in high hopes that it may come back in time from the finishers for Ruth’s 5th Anniversary Party at Bedecked & Beadazzled.  If I am going to that party I need to be styling!!

Well folks that’s it for now, you may see some more mystery stitches soon, or just some more stitching on Un Pocito.  Who knows, stay tuned…..

Sheena

Snow flurries swirled in the air today.  So it seemed appropriate to finish off the gingerbread house snow.  I pictured skiers coming across the fields, out the door, and down the hill.  A beautiful Chalet where you can jump out of your house and ski.

Ski Field

The crunchy snow beneath the skiers path can be seen.  Angus of course left his mark as he came out the house.  That big boy, had to go to the bathroom I did not use anything but white.  The hint of yellow you see, is the color of the canvas showing through.  Darning patterns are great, just let your imagination run wild.  Choose threads based on the effect you are trying to achieve.  Here I used 1 strand of Fuzzy Stuff with 1 ply of Silk n’ Colors for the long darning stitches & 1 strand of Bouclé for the shorter stitches.  I just loved the look it gave.  Fuzzy Stuff alone was a little too thin, the addition of the silk added just enough, and gave the look that I was trying to achieve.

That’s it for now, everyone is off to market, and we are anxiously watching the sites for news.  Ruth Schmuff has released her new line of fabulous canvases, check out those purses, 4 different canvases to choose.

Mod Bow Purse

Now are they not fabulous!  I can see one in my future!!!!!   Can’t you see this bow on a wonderful deep grape leather bag, hmmmm…….

On that note, off I go.

Sheena

M.Salas "Un Pocito de Color

Aloha All,

Now don’t be shocked by the new Banner on blog.  Remember Day of the Dead is a celebration of those that have passed on, hence all the color.  I just could not help myself, since I have been to a few of the processions while living in New Mexico.  Seeing that Jane of Chilly Hollow was preparing for our fun stitching event, I thought, hmm, what can I do.  Why not feature my own painted face on the event ;) This is going to be an affair you won’t want to miss.  We will be showing threads and stitches on the two different canvases.  Jane will be showing some for both these canvases, while I am only working on  ”A Little Bit of Color”.  This is my side job when I can’t show what else I am stitching, therefore we will be having fun!!!  Who could not have fun with this canvas and all the color.  I love bling, so you know what will be included. I have a stitch charted for the background, which remains to be seen if it will work….

Getting back to the gingerbread house, I will show the house, but only Kelly Clark’s stitches are in.  I did stitch two window frames and the windows, but life always interferes hence the unfinished look.

Gingerbread House

The house is stitched in a Scotch & Inverse Mosaic Combination Stitch.  Compensation is not as bad as it seems, but you need to focus and not watch TV or you will be ripping!  I used Soy Lustre for the Reverse Scotches and Gloriana for the Inverse Mosaic & small crosses, then of course a smattering of beads.  I think I am going to have to design a darning pattern for the snow because I have not come across just the right one yet.  Who knows though, something may jump out.

Well TNNA is coming upon us rapidly and all the new designs will be hitting the stores, I hoped you saved some pennies for all those wonderful goodies  I know it is so hard to resist as you see the pictures rolling by.  Keep posted and I will work on updating you on what is happening.  I know Jane will be doing a grand job, so all the bloggers will be busy.  I am still looking for the perfect Dragon for you wonderful talented Designers out there, please……..

I honestly thought that Cleveland did not really get winter.  The weather was like spring, I was thinking bunnies, sheep, and then I looked out the window and we have snow!!!  I am thinking the white stuff is prettier in pictures, so I y will take one for posterity for all those who don’t see it, and then curl up.  I am going to have to shovel the patio for the kitties and get an area warmer for them, all though they have two lovely condos, and I leave the awning out a bit so that they get even more shelter.  Pictures will be coming.  That’s all for now folks, have a great day and stitch away.

Sheena

Skull Fob

Happy 12th day of Christmas.  Today is the day to take down all the Christmas decorations.  But we have many fun holidays to decorate for.  Valentines day can go up now, along with all your snowmen.  Since there is no snow to speak of, at least we can look at our winter needlepoint displays.  In very short order all the new designs will be released as TNNA Phoenix rapidly approaches, how much fun is that.  In the meantime a number of stores are having major clearance sales to make room for new stock!!

Sheena’s Sweet Stitches is finally back from Cyberspace and here to stay now that I am hosted with the domain all in the same spot.  Yay!  In the meantime, I was quite frustrated and started Sheena’s Stitching Mystery, which is now linked to Sweet stitches at the top right hand corner.  The two blogs will remain.  It is going to be like Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde, with Sheena’s Stitching Mystery being Dr.Jekyll  The mystery may be if that blog is running, since Dr.Jekyll will be tampering and playing with it.  Dr.Hyde on the other hand will leave this blog alone, and only add new posts and links, so that it does not encounter any problems.  It may have a theme change from time to time, and every now and again you may see Dr.Jekyll popping in, but you won’t know when!

In early December I told you about the Challenge on Stitcherie.  Palma has now finished her piece, and I have started.  Here is what I have done,

Night Candy Sky

Diagonal Hungarian is used for the Sky.  This was one of the stitches that we had to use somewhere in the piece.  I chose it for the sky as I am looking at this as my Candy sky, and I used the required thread and color, a #8 Kreinik for the stitch.  The candy is stitched in an octagonal rhodes used 2 silks, and I am adding a touch of green Kreinik on top.  I stitched over the smoke and will come back to it once I have stitched the house.  For the house I am going to stitch one of Kelly Clark’s required stitches, click on the link to see the stitches.  I am using an Overdyed Gloriana Silk for the House, and beads.  I should have the house completed this weekend so that I can post a picture next week.  This really is fun and I encourage you to check out Stitcherie to join us in the next Challenge project, it will be Eye Candy’s Sammy the 4th of July Kitty, which is really cute!  Come have fun, you are given a few stitches, threads and the rest is up to you.

Have a great weekend stitching…….

Sheena