WHAT?! A TNT!

I made some embroidered cards!  

Jennifer Maker has these Cricut patterns and many more

 to make embroidered cards.

They are a snap to cut and soon enough I was stitching, 

even though my 'aim' was very off

 but did improve as I kept working at it!

This wreath took a bit longer but was more enjoyable for me!

  It seems the glue leaked through and smeared the 'p' from the card that is used to hide the back of your work. 

 These cards are blank on the inside

 but I rarely lack for words to write in my own!  

I must say the hardest part was getting my fingers 

to hold the needle without fumbling!

 

SOME TINY NEEDLE TUESDAY!

 I pulled out the hand embroidery that has laid dormant for months!  My friend gave me a needle-minder and that was the catalyst to get me stitching again!  I also have an Autumn stitching I want to do but i will finish this one first!

TNT

I have a finished object to share! 

 This was the free pattern from Yarnspirations.

  It is mounted in a 9" hoop to hang on the wall. 

 I used DMC floss throughout.

I couldn't wait to start in on the new hand towel

 which will be for pretty and not for washing up!  

 

TNT

I've stitched everything except the central flowers which I did begin yesterday.  I am thoroughly enjoying this project

 but I have already picked the next one

 and am excited to get started on that one, too!

I've played with the bookmarks with the rock designs.

  It was fun and a good lesson on slowing down 

and enjoying the lines and how they work together!

 

TNT

 See how the garden grows! 

 It is so relaxing to sit and stich

 while I am listening to an audio book.

  I am surprised by how much I am enjoying this!

TNT

So pleasurable to yield a tiny needle for this embroidery. 

 It is in an eight inch hoop for scale. 

 I did all of the coneflowers first, as you see.

I'm using three strands of DMC floss.

 

TRACING

I am tracing a new embroidery from Yarnspirations. 

 The light box sure made it easier!

 Now to load it in the hoop and begin stitching! 

 (I trace it with a Frixion pen so that it disappears

 as I iron it when done.)

Look at the hostas!

And here comes the first Calla lily!

TNT

I like this kind of therapy!  

I was able to work on this embroidered piece

 I began back in January! 

 It was good to work on the needle placement and getting my index finger and thumb to work together again!

 

TNT (TINY NEEDLE TUESDAY)

I discovered this free pattern last week 

and thought I would enjoy trying some stitching again.  

I found that I could do this, too,  while laying down in my bed!

(my arms get tired but my hands are happy!)

 

Progress Inside and Out!

This is definitely the pattern I am going to use for the blanket!

It is an easy 3 row repeat that I hope even I can remember the rhythm!

It is a type of Tuck stitch on my standard gauge machine.

 I cut the tropical fish fabric and added my 'maids;

Yes, this will be a cute little quilt. 

I am going to use the fish fabric to make a border also.

 I finished up the quilting on the Around the World Christmas quilt.

The binding will be applied soon!

 This is going on outside right now!

 I haven't had a paved driveway since I was a girl!

Just wait until you see the driveway when it's complete!

Two Ta-Da's!

 In quilting group yesterday, I finished the machine mat!

The row hanging down in front of the machine is a row of pockets;

this will help me prevent the sprawl in our shared space!

 I sewed in a rubberized drawer liner so the machine won't slip and slide

and it helps to cut down on the vibration from the plastic folding tables.

The mat rolls right up and is easy to transport!  I'm pleased with the results! 

This is my eighth and final mermaid!

I will pick up some fabric to go with them today when we head to JoAnn Fabric!

Savor the Season

 I'm working on the last mermaid;

she will join the others and then I will need to plan the quilt she will live in!

 I searched for variegated threads and found two kinds;

one twice the price of the other (DMC)

the other cheaper  (JPCoats) 

but there is a sheen on the more expensive that is lacking on the latter.

It wouldn't matter in something like this embroidery quilt

but perhaps mixing the two on the same piece of cross stitch

wouldn't be the best decision.

And on the knitting front, I have turned the heel 

and am about 3" into the leg of the second toe-up sock for Bill.

I am finally caught up all of the way-I thought I was doing better 

until I thought of several things that needed attention so I have quieted all of the

voices of the 'to-do' sirens and will now savor the season!

TNT

 I finished this block for the mermaid quilt.

I only have a few more blocks left!

I need to start thinking about complimentary fabric and layout options!

A slightly larger needle is now being used for; this sweater

I had completed it months ago 

but I was not happy with the neckline.

I ripped out the 1" of ribbing and have reduced the needle size considerably!

I hope the tighter ribbing at the neck will help it to stay put 

or I will have to try something much more radical!

A Stitch at a Time

A pillow case, a mermaid and another dishcloth 

are keeping me in stitches for an hour before I fall asleep each night. 

 How are you doing with the time change?

School of Mermaids!

 When I said I did nothing but lay down in bed and do embroidery,

I wasn't kidding!  

I finished this mermaid 

(drawn and downloadable from daysfilledwithjoy.com)

which is one of my favorites because she is holding a kitty AND she is wearing a sweater!

I used some new embroidery floss that is variegated! 

 I enjoy watching the colors change under this needle

 as much as I enjoy watching it under the knitting needles!

 She has joined the school of mermaids that have congregated on my design wall!

Grateful

Unfortunately, I am down for the count

from the flu shot, I think.

I am grateful that I can lay almost flat and do the embroidery.

The pillow case I started when in NY with my Mom,

has been completed and pressed.

And it is even packaged to be mailed tomorrow!

Teeny Needle Tuesday

I am still working my way through my pillowcase for Mom.

How very relaxing it is!  

This vintage needle case is assisting my stitching.

How nice to have the connection to previous generations as I work with the needle today.

The supplies inside now, are still what is needed to save that "Stitch in Time" !

Teeny Needle Tuesday

Just out of the hoop-not even pressed yet, 

this mermaid has been completed 

and is ready to join her sisters. 

 (back on my design wall at home!)

I am so glad I slipped her into the activity bag 

and brought her along for the trip;  

it is very relaxing to stitch with a different kind of needle!

TNT

I've drawn some personal ornament designs to add to the winter collection by Days Filled with Joy!

I wanted things that were pertinent to my Florida home.

Nice quick designs and a quick stitch right now which is a great way to achieve almost-instant gratification!  

Next drawing will be one with a flamingo!

TNT

 I am loving the embroidery;  consequently, I am doing a lot of it!

 These two free Christmas designs are from CozyBlue;

I used #3 embroidery cotton.

And I have the next design to start today!

(Since these embroideries are done with heavier home spun type fabric,

I had to use Kim's trick of using water soluble stabilizer to draw

my design, stitch through it and then wash it away when finished!)