I've Been Framed

AC Moore has a 60% off custom framing sale going on so I pulled out a couple of my finished xs pieces and went for a drive. I didn't have much faith in the girl at the counter after we played a fun game of "How many different ways can I say, 'I don't like the brown mat on my Enchanted Alphabet?" Finally I just took it back and nervously let her handle my Fairy Tales (click here for beading details).

We had some trouble with that one too and soon there was a line formed at the counter. Between the line and E wiggling around the counter doing her version of the pee-pee dance, I was ready to cry uncle and go home. I took E to the potty and browsed around the mats and frames and when I came back, she had laid out the perfect frame to go with the insides that I'd chosen earlier. She quoted it and I silently thanked God that it was 60% off. It should be done around May 11 and I can't wait to show it off. It's going to look amazing.

In the mean time, for a mere $16 I framed this older piece myself. It still gives me a giggle when I see that silly cat.

WIP: Basket of Poppies & Bookmark (pt.2)

I got my hands on the DMC Perle 8 and Perle 12 that I needed to finish this project and so other than using the fabric stiffener on it, it is complete. I stitched it on an opalacent fabric because the patterns calls for beads which adds bling but since I was planning to make it into a bookmark, I thought the beads might pose a problem. I wish you could see it shimmer. My kids were impressed with the "holes" I made LOL!


Now this WIP pic was one I meant to post last week. I haven't had a chance to work on it since last week so this is what I managed to do after only one week's worth of stitching. I've taken to wearing magnifying glasses while I'm working on this piece. Steve laughs on the days that I don't put my contacts in. He calls me "Six Eyes."

WIP: Basket of Poppies & Bookmark

I am making this hardanger freebie pattern into a bookmark but I don't have all the required threads so while I wait for those to make an appearance, I started a petit point by Gitta's that I bought at the Hershey CATS show last autumn. It's on 40 count silk gauze and although it's hard to tell from a photograph on the internet, the total fabric size is only 5x7. The piece I have stitched is about the size of a half-dollar.

When complete, it'll look like the picture on the right. My work-in-progress (WIP) pictures are below.

Jewelry, Stitching and Cakes

I've finally organized my pictures somewhat and have made my creative album accessable by the public. It's kinda like my cross stitch gallery except everything else is in there too. Enjoy

In Case Of Death, Break Glass

I have Googlehome set as my home page and one of the personalized items that appears daily is the WikiHow of the Day. Today's WikiHow is "How to Share Your Obituary With Your Online Friends." Interesting reading if you've never thought about it. Since I have a morbid fascination with death, I've already told Steve how to log into all my boards and I made him promise to contact the cross stitch girls before he gets rid of my stash.

Ornament Exchange 2006

I am so very proud of my ornament this year. Other than the fabric, I made every single part of this ornament by hand, including the cording. The design is called "Bright & Beaded" by Linda Bird and found in the January 2005 Stitcher's World magazine. I changed the colors because the original called for the most hideous versions of pinks and greens I've ever seen. The cord is made using the kumihimo method of braiding.

Here to the left is the front of the ornament and below is the back and the detail of the cording. Of course I hope my exchange partner likes what I've made but more than that I really enjoyed making it this year!

Now I am so in the Christmas mood.

Touching the Autumn Sky - WIP 2

This isn't as much progress as one might expect for a month's work but I did have another secret project I started and finished this month as well. October's WIP pic for comparison is here.

Mirabilia's South Sea Mermaid

Mirabilia has released a new mermaid. I didn't post this on the cross stitch board because I know a lot of people are big fans of Mira (frankly so am I) and I didn't want to get flamed. However much I like Mira's I can't resist this comment.

Doesn't she look like she's sniffing to see if her deodorant is working? (click the pic to see her larger)