Updates on Max's Sampler and 9-11

I have been like most people in the east, fighting tree pollen.  I live in the woods, but unfortunately I'm also highly sensitive to oak trees.  As I have gotten older (almost 60) it has gotten worse.  So for the better part of last week I was really done in with my body working overtime to fight the allergic reaction, and with Benadryl.  However, all was not lost I did get some stitching time in. 

I'm really pleased with my little medallions worked out well for filler.  I just need to finish the border around his name, and add the child of, at the bottom. My goddaughter (mom of Max) and Max are coming over next Tuesday, so I should  have it ready for her.  Then wait to you see the pinks and greens for Madison's.

Now for 9-11, I'm on the last page of the top row of border medallions, when that is done then it will be on the two rows of the alphabet.  This picture doesn't show the subtle variegation of the black or brown, but it is so lovely.

As I said before if you haven't tried gumnuts silk threads (Stars) before, they might be worth a look.  They are bit pricey, but the skeins are 6 ply 8.75 yards.  I usually get mine from InStitches or AP Needlearts.  Here is a sample card.  You notice they are described as softly shaded, instead variegated, but that is what makes so wonderful if your looking for a soft color effect. 

Now please bear with me on the cat pictures.  I gave my husband a new digital Nikon last year for his birthday.  It has all the bells and whistles, so he plays with different programing when he shoots pictures.  Since I won't let him take pictures of me, he gets to use the cats as guinea pigs.
Here is Lucy and Sasha, they are both beauties, don't you think..

Thanks for stopping by....

Jean Currently Reading:  Bonhoeffer, and Watching: Masterpiece Theater, Upstairs/Downstairs

150 years ago.... The Civil War started

Today marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. As an Virginian, with a family that dates back to 1700's, an who had ancestors that fought on both sides, I have always felt deeply about the civil war.  I'm sure I'm not alone on that feeling either.  

President Obama has proclaimed the beginning of the Civil War Sesquicentennial and calls for all Americans to observe it with appropriate, ceremonies and activities that honor the legacy of freedom and unity that the Civil Ware bestowed on  our Nation.  


Presidential Proclamation--Civil War Sesquicentennial | The White House

www.whitehouse.gov

 

The Virginia Historical Society has a program called, An America Turning Point: The Civil War In Virginia 

Also you might want to check out the  Virginia Sesquicentennial Commission   

I will post what events and articles come my way..

 

Jean
Currently Reading:  Bonhoeffer, and Watching: TCM

Start of 9-11...

Well I couldn't hold out any longer, I decided to go ahead and start 9-11, since my lovely Ricamo arrived. Here its with my lovely Gumnut silks, it really is the effect I want.. more subdued than the stark DMC



Friday nite was spent whip stitching the edges and on Saturday I stated stitching.  I always start in the middle of the chart at the top, so this is the top row of the border..

Gumnuts silks are lovely to stitch with.. An they are subtle in color and varigation.  I'm working on a conversion for Needleprint's Mary Wigham to start after Long Dog Bienvenue.   Well Lucy wants me to come back and stitch...

Jean
Currently Reading:  Bonhoeffer, and Watching: Upstairs Downstairs

Getting there on Max....

Well the past few days things have gone slow.  As I have gotten older the weather seems to play havoc with my arthritis and my head.  A massive warm front came in Sunday, which laid me away a migraine.  Then my knee froze up, so stitching was a little difficult.  It just really set me back 2 days.  So here is Max's Sampler..

 

As you can see I don't have too far to go.  Just one more little design on the right, child of ---- and, the border.   I  can't wait to get started on Madison's.

Jean
Currently Reading:  Bonhoeffer, and Watching: Ken Burns, Civil War

   

More Progress and things

Here is my progress on LD Bienvenue for Max...

As you can see I'm almost there.   So my next question is what to do next.  I have some Ricamo coming in a few weeks, but that's a few weeks.   The Ricamo is for (I think this will be my 5th attempt)  At Jan Houtman's 9-11.  I'm also going to use Gumnut's stars (which is silk) this time around.  Therse silks are lovely and more muted or softer.  I can't wait to start, this for sure will be the last time.
I forgot to mention that while I was at InStitches, last week, I found a new designer Blackberry Lane Designs.  She seems to do mostly Christmas theme.  I picked up her Nativity table runner, which I'm going to do as a framed piece.  You can take look here, its beautiful.

So now I'm back to what to do next.. I have two other new designs coming in mail sometime, soon.  But that still leaves me with what to do next, I was debating doing Jan Houtman's Patchwork, but to do Houtman's at the same time might be a bit much.  So I might just settle on a Quaker. Decisions, Decisions.

Well maybe you can help me mull that over as you look at few new pics of Annie, Max and Mortitia, and Lucy...

Annie and Lucy are identical, like mother(Annie) and daughter (Lucy), with only two exceptions; one, Lucy is brighter in stripes and marked perfectly; and two, Lucy is very outgoing and into everything.  Annie is still very fearful, but she a beautiful in her way.  She will run (not as fast, so she not as scared) when you approach.  I can pet her, that is (I can), so I think more progress gets made every day, still she has a long way to go.  One thing though, she still loves her Beau. Sometimes they still sleep together on couch, sweet. (I have to try an get picture).  Well that's the news for today.... please come back often,

Jean
Currently Reading:  Bonhoeffer, and Watching: Crime Doctor, with Warner Baxter                                                                                                                       

Woodlawn Report - 2011

Last Saturday I went to Woodlawn, it was much larger than last year.  They had 658 entries, which was up about 100 more from last year.  Last year broke  broke a record too.  Actually, I think the recession is getting people back into stitching again and actually finishing their projects, that's a good thing all around.  They received a lot more smalls this year than ever before, according the kind lady that runs the show.  The front room usually has some glass cabinets with entries, but this time it was full of cabinets, but it didn't hit me until I left.  They actually had to use the nursery room upstairs, that is usually reserved for demonstrations, for entries.
  
There also seemed to be more crewel entries this year.  There was a chair with birds and flowers that was out of this world (obviously they don't have grandchildren, children or pets).  Another piece or should I say pieces were in the Music Room, of a blue oriental designs all done in crewel, by the same entrant.  The peoples award was given to a Japanese Embroidery piece of cart and with flowers, it was stunning.  
Samplers were prevalent but not as much as last year.  JohnK, won a ribbon for J Houtman's Pansies.  He did it in muted colors, and as always stunning.  He had two other samplers entered as well.  My friend J, one a ribbon for her Sampler Cove, Rhapsody in Red, well done!.  There didn't seem to be much in the critter room either, but I did see two Charlie Harper Needlepoint designs that were lovely.  The Children's room was also had some things done by girl scouts which were well done.  The Christmas room had some lovely ornaments, one I'm trying to track down the designer, so wish me luck.  It was of cats with pink  background.     
As per usual they did not allow pictures.  I don't know what the reason was for allowing pictures last year to be set up of the winners in a album, and not this year.  I personally found it very useful, so I would remember pieces to specifically look for when I went to Woodlawn.   

Here is another wonderful report (oh she explains about the pictures)