A Cross Stitch Update

 I'm very fortunate to have the

Colorado Cross Stitcher, Sheri,

as my local cross stitch shop.

She's organized a weekly stitching group

that meets at her shop to

share project ideas, motivation

and inspiration.  

I have been stitching, sewing

and finishing a few projects both

with floss and cloth.

Yes, the Christmas holiday has

long passed, but here's a new addition

for next year.

'Joyful Scene'

Teresa Kogut

I finished the cross stitch piece as

the top of a paper mache' box

that I purchased at Hobby Lobby.

I simply used paint and 

scrapbook paper to finish the box.

 Some of the design elements 

were eliminated from the pattern

in order for it to fit the box top.

It simplified the look and 

focused on Santa and his friends.

The cording was made using the 

Krenik Cording drill and the

excellent YouTube videos

from Vonna  Pheiffer.

*****

This next pattern seemed

very appropriate for the kind of

winter weather we've been having.

My daughter, who is a first grade teacher,

must have been doing a snow dance 

a couple of times because everyone shouted...

'Hurray It's A Snow Day'

Homespun Elegance

Sandra Sullivan

This was a quick stitch and

the white eyelash trim was the perfect embellishment

to finish the snowy look.

*****

This latest finish was not a quick stitch,

but one that I enjoyed a great deal.

Lots of fill in so, it was a good

project to bring to my weekly stitching time

at the Colorado Cross Stitcher.

I finally had a frame made at Hobby Lobby 

and got the stitching mounted, 

framed and hung.

 

'The Gather Inn'

Plum Street Samplers

Paulette Stewart

Autumn colors are probably my favorites.

This piece had all the right elements,

pumpkins, leaves, sunflowers and

even a barn quilt pattern.

I've also been finishing up a few

quilts and those are just waiting for a 

warmer day for a photo shoot.  

Until Next Time-

Kyle

November's Monthly Mini

 November has come 

and pretty much gone.

I have though, been able to spend

a little time in my sewing room.

This month's mini

was a free download earlier in the fall

from Pam Buda

 and is now available 

 as a $5 digital download.

Autumn Along Coal Creek

21" x 28"

I took Pam's pattern 

and added more 6"  blocks.

I had several of her fabrics, 

Cheddar and Coal

and added a few others, of course.

 

The border is a very old Thimbleberries print, but

was the perfect choice.

You never know when one of those

oldies still works.

I added a flange binding which 

made the binding process go a little faster.

Besides, it added a spark of cheddar

at the end.

****

I also finished a couple of

X-stitch projects.

Boo and Whoo

Designed by Misty Pursel

Of Luminous Fiber Arts.

I mounted each piece on a

glossy black wooden block. 

I used some older Nancy Halverson 

orange fabric and

a bit of black rick rack. 

Now they'll be ready for next October. 

****

This next one was a free design

from Sheri of Colorado 

Cross Stitch.

"Thankful" is being modeled by

Turkey Jack, one of

my favorite Thanksgiving decorations. 

He was made years ago and

joins us every year.

****

I discovered, as I was

selecting quilts for my

November fence display, that

 this month theme was

the color,

we lovingly refer to, 

as Cheddar.

This month's lineup is one of my favorites.

Want to check out a few other monthly minis?

Head to Wendy's blog, the Constant Quilter

 and enjoy some quilting inspiration.

Until Next Time-

Kyle

Why Not Start Something New

 With Christmas only 2 weeks away,

why not start something new!

A month ago one of my quilting groups

had a holiday silent auction.

Basically, it's bring some good stuff from your 

sewing room so, others can buy it and 

 take it their home. 

The money we collect goes to 

the local foodbank.

This is what I came home with. 

 These incredible Grandmother's Flower Garden blocks.

There are more than 80 blocks.

Each in excellent condition.

Over half of them 

have fussy cut motifs.

I'm thinking maybe they were made in the 40's

because the motifs are bigger than what

we generally consider the 30's.

Any thoughts?

The blocks are sewn both by machine and

by hand.  I can't figure out the reasoning or her approach.

But either way the stitching is perfect

with 1/8" seams.

I was so excited to get these blocks. 

I couldn't wait and had to 

started  hand stitching them together.

I've got most of them together in sets

of two and then into sets of four.

Slowly, they'll all get connected.

I keep eyeing that outer edge.

Adding a binding is going to be a real bugger!

But I won't think about it now.

*****

I've also been X stitching

Unsewing seems to be part of the process!

"Basketful of Winter"

Design by Brenda Gervais

With Thy Needle and Thread

"A Cup of Cheer"

Design by Brenda Gervais

With Thy Needle and Thread

****

Currently, we have no snow

here in Fort Collins,

but maybe we'll have a 

White Christmas.

Until Next Time-

Kyle