tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76627206935546803992024-03-13T23:51:46.365-07:00Keep Me In StitchesAdventures in cross stitch.Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-9599386851823322642017-08-22T10:44:00.001-07:002017-08-22T10:44:29.601-07:00Still here and still stitchingI've spent the past 3 months changing my diet and getting back to stitching after my cousin, Ellen, asked if I would create a wedding sampler for her son and her nurse daughter, both getting married this summer. I responded with what I thought were samplers they would both enjoy and fit their personalities -- or what I thought of as their personalities.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerh_Axe5f-y1EWcC1xHK84Ha4FHzH09N58d0obhZw9yCoyyWXdswnU2A31REU2sjun-mg8s62ZS7bZ_XDuZ61deYk4iYzVTCmJewtn1oTk1lHMWOW7TytfIJAa9jur4pUZy3zTaPDhV8/s1600/Kaley%2526Kyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerh_Axe5f-y1EWcC1xHK84Ha4FHzH09N58d0obhZw9yCoyyWXdswnU2A31REU2sjun-mg8s62ZS7bZ_XDuZ61deYk4iYzVTCmJewtn1oTk1lHMWOW7TytfIJAa9jur4pUZy3zTaPDhV8/s640/Kaley%2526Kyle.jpg" width="480" /></a>For Kaley and Kyle, I chose a sandy subject, not just because they were married at the beach in North Carolina, but because Kaley seems beachy to me.<br />
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The fact that they were married at the beach fit in with my vision of their wedding day and I wasn't too far off. In the picture from the wedding day you should know that, yes, Kaley is sort, but she is not wearing her high-heeled sandals in the photo and, yes, Kyle does rather tower over our petite nurse-princess.<br />
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For Johnny and Caitlin (standing to the left of the beaming bride) I chose a more traditional theme and neither Johnny nor Caitlin have provided me with a picture of the stitchery. Caitlin was beautiful and very bride-like, but I didn't snatch a photo of their special day, May 22, 2017, because I couldn't choose from so many.<br />
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Now I'm finishing up Kelsey's wedding sampler (daughter of Mike who is Ellen's older brother -- only older brother -- only brother) but I am so far pleased with how it is going. No, Mike didn't ask me for a sampler. I decided that on my own since I was still in the wedding sampler mood. Kelsey and Jason were married by the Justice of the Peace at the Delaware city hall with only their grandmother (my Aunt Lois) in attendance. The rest of the family were on vacation in OBX (short for Outer Banks, NC) and I didn't see that Mike, her father, was in evidence either. A small civil ceremony rather more like an elopement where no one eloped. Kelsey, ex-Army soldier, married her man and quickly merged their households and children with dispatch and style. I hope she will enjoy a belated and unlooked for gift to commemorate their union.<br />
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In the meantime, I was caught off guard by my grandson, Jordan's high school graduation and am stitching him a graduation sampler to hang on his -- or his Mom's -- wall for posterity . . . if I can finish it before he graduates college where I am sure he will cherish the thought and forgive the delay.<br />
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That is all. Disperse.<br />
Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-83751824352117710172015-07-05T19:02:00.001-07:002015-07-05T19:11:38.641-07:00Framing the GeishaNo, I didn't commit a crime and frame a geisha. I wouldn't do that. But I am definitely the kind of person willing and able to frame the geisha I stitched and finished this year. It turned out pretty, although I'm not at all happy with the framing part. Too much mat, not enough fabric. It is lashed to the backing, but I would have preferred thinner mats had I but known they would take up so much space. I'll leave it for now, but the next time I buy a frame for a 5 x 7, I'll use one of my fabrics and not the kit fabric so I will end up with thinner mats and more space to lash the fabric to the frame. It makes such a difference.<br />
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And now for the reveal.<br />
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It turned out nicely, but not nicely enough. I think a lighter green top mat (and also thinner) with the gold bamboo frame next time. In the meantime, it will hang above my bed with all the ladies with fans will eventually reside. This is a Dimensions Gold kit, the 5 x 7 version, but a very nice kit. </div>
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Don't forget to click on the picture to make it bigger. It is quite beautiful. I even managed the <a href="https://youtu.be/pevFfS8IUqc" target="_blank">bullion stitches</a> that make up the hair ornament above her ear. The gold is pretty too in the back stitching details, subtle but not too subtle. </div>
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Happy stitching. And may all your framing turn out the way you want them. </div>
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<br />Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-5479199284591978312015-04-29T13:05:00.000-07:002015-04-29T13:05:27.321-07:00It's Coming Back<br />
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As I sat pondering the other cross stitch projects in my fabric bucket
(the kind that makes neat all the junk one has collected) I decided to
go back to something I started last year before I moved up here from
Colorado Springs. It wasn't hard to find. I dug through the bin and
pulled out the bag that holds my winter white tree skirt. I had intended
to use it last year, but the move and pawing through bins and boxes
wasn't high on my list, and there were so many other projects to start
-- and finish.<br />
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There is a rhythm to cross stitching and I had been
out of the rhythm for almost a year. It took some doing -- and some
untangling of floss -- and now I'm getting back into the rhythm. I will
finish my tree skirt this year.<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="cutid1" target="_self"></a><br />
As
it looked last year. I had done more work on it since this was taken
last March. It is a very big project, bigger than the swan.<br />
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At
any rate, I should have been done by now since there is about a half
section to stitch yet. Aside from a leaf on the lower edge, not much has
changed. I just got started.<br />
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It
looks a bit fuzzy to me, but then everything looks fuzzy to me these
days. As you can see there have been changes. Quite a few changes. But
it is moving along. The leaf I stitched last night, or at least began to
stitch, is below the needle. Hopefully, I will finish this in the next
month, maybe within the next couple of weeks, and then the real chore
begins - cutting, binding, stuffing, sewing, and getting it ready to put
under the tree this year. I am determined that this will happen THIS
YEAR. Cross your fingers. I can't stitch with my fingers crossed.<br />
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That is all. Disperse. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72YCT7YlxX4HeeY89CFmZoCD_6CenOnGgIBXl3txLVyw7xjKQvQKE_f6mlJjWd3hg3DAn0shb6ruPOk1FscoD1jt0Xo9myZwLguDYEEspcRf_FkMS8kbWncCrqiWxsDc5DsAekwdm9d4/s1600/IMG_0325.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-30705198364340675742015-04-28T08:32:00.000-07:002015-04-28T08:32:20.193-07:00The End At LastIt took me about 6 months to finish this project and it is finally done. I will add that I didn't work on it every day of the past 6 months, sometimes setting it aside to work on other projects, sometimes a month at a time, but I did start about 6 months ago.<br />
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The best part about this is that it turned out good . . . even if I did have to rip out several sections because I mistook the color for one symbol for another (the symbols were very much alike) and because I got off count a time or 500 (okay, not really 500 times, but it seemed like it at times). It is finally done and I am quite proud of it.<br />
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The finished piece is hanging on the back of my rather large desk chair and needs to be washed, ironed (on the back only and with a pressing cloth), mounted, and framed. I'd say it's about 18 x 26 or possibly 30 inches in size.<br />
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Voila!<br />
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The finished swan. You can almost see the Joadoor signature at the bottom.<br />
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As always, click on the pictures to get the full view. I'll post more pictures when it is framed and ready to hang . . . and maybe after it is hung. <br />
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A better idea of the size. That is part of the window in the background, as well as my desk, and the chair. The swan is quite large.<br />
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Now what I need to do is design a black swan facing this swan in the same size as a match.<br />
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The triangles inside the rectangle is the signature of Joadoor, who is actually two Dutch artists whose names combined become Joadoor. I did a leopard/cheetah seen a year or so ago on this blog (search back through the archives), which was my introduction to Joadoor's art work. I do enjoy the style and the workmanship, and especially the backgrounds for each piece of Joadoor's work.<br />
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At any rate, I am done with this one, except for the necessary steps to frame it and hang it on the living room wall. There's something about swans that has always pleased me. Maybe it was Hans Christian Anderson's story, <i>The Ugly Duckling</i>, or maybe it is the supreme calm and grace of the birds when flying or gliding on water that speaks to me. Whatever it is, this is one piece I will look forward to seeing whenever I go into the living room.<br />
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If not a black swan, maybe a crane about the same size as a companion piece. I wonder....<br />
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That is all. Disperse. <br />
<br />Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-82125545950246895822015-03-07T12:01:00.001-08:002015-03-07T12:01:11.314-08:00It arrived!I did something different with one of my cross stitch projects. I
ordered a frame and mats cut to exact size online. I knew I'd have to
put the frame together, but how hard could it be if my Middle Eastern
beauty had the right look on the wall?<br /><br />The disassembled frame
arrived yesterday evening and I set about reading directions, getting my
handy dandy screwdrivers, and put it together. It was a puzzle with all
the parts and pieces, and there was still the finished cross stitch to
get ready for framing. It was quite the ordeal, but once I figured out
how the frame went together, the rest was a matter of carefully
stretching the fabric across the acid-free foam core and lashing it into
place so that the face at the center of the fabric would center
perfectly beneath the mats, mats that were cut to my specifications.<br /><br />It worked.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="cutid1" target="_self"></a>I
chose a brushed metal silver frame and 2 mats: Caribbean blue and
silver foil. I can't stop looking at it as it hangs on the wall beside
my bed. It's beautiful and the mats set off the cross stitch so well.<br />
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This is what I began with, minus my signature, which is the year in
which it was finished. I stitched that just before framing with the dark
blue-green and a twist of silver metallic thread in the corner.<br />
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This is what I ended up with. Isn't she beautiful?<br />
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The only backstitching here was putting lashes around the expressive eyes and the pearls that hang over her forehead. Those were a real challenge to stitch too. Not because there was so much but because of all the changes and colors that make up the jewels. It was worth the effort. <br /><br />I remember
when Beanie would finish the stitching on one of her cross stitch
projects and she'd come to me to do the backstitching. She hated the
fussy, and often tedious, backstitching. As I stitched I explained that
the backstitching, as onerous as it can be, brings the work to life.
Since I've moved away she has had to do her own backstitching, but she
does see what I meant all those years ago.<br /><br />Hoity-Toity never
frames her cross stitch, but she does cross stitch. She has a thing for
women in hats, something she may have gotten from me since I used to
have a collection of paintings, prints, and posters of women in hats,
often with their faces hidden by the hats. I even found a silhouette of a
turn of the century woman in a hat I found at a barn sale and Mom
bought me a ceramic mask of a Victorian woman in a hat looking over her
gaudily clad shoulder out into the room. It hangs in my living room now
next to the bookcase by the doors onto the back deck. It just seemed
right to hang there. I also have ceramic masks of all kinds hanging in
my room and the hallway, and soon in the laundry room. There is one mask
Mom sent me that is kind of creepy. That's why it's going in the
laundry room where it can scare spiders and intruders coming through the
laundry room door.<br /><br />I have to finish the backstitching on the 5 x
7 Japanese geisha I finished in January (yes, I sometimes put off the
backstitching too), buy the perfect frame and maybe even mat it, and it
will hang in the Jack bedroom. For some reason I see that room as my
Japanese/Oreintal/Asian room with fabric floor and table lamps and black
lacquered furniture. It's still in my head right now because the room
is still filled with boxes of cross stitch supplies, stationery, and
books, as well as framed pictures. It is emptier by about 5 framed
pictures, awards, and my Extra Class amateur radio operator license. I
brought them into my bedroom to hang on the walls here.<br />
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Now all I need
to do is find the right pieces to stitch and hang on the wall over my
bed. I see a huge painted paper fan flanked by women with fans, Asian
and Spanish and Moorish and whatever. Still haven't figured our where to
hang the Indian beauties since the Jill bedroom will have princesses
and fairy tale characters in cross stitch on the walls. That is where my
grandchildren (mostly the granddaughters) will sleep when they visit.
There is still a very long -- and bare -- hallway to populate with
pictures of family and friends and maybe the odd cross stitch pieces
framed by me. I can handle assembling the frames and choosing the mats.
After all, the $50 that went for my Middle Eastern lady was money well
spent, and a whole lot cheaper than the often $200 or more I spent for
framing other, and often larger, cross stitch pieces. Live and learn --
and, in my case, spend a little less to get wonderful results.<br /><br />That is all. Disperse. Go stitch your own masterpiece -- and don't forget the backstitching. Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-58012905185873799052015-01-27T12:49:00.003-08:002015-01-28T10:07:58.261-08:00Relaxing stitchingI've been fairly busy with the new house, but I have taken the time to relax. My favorite way to relax is to cross stitch. Joadoor's <i>Swan</i> and Lanarte's <i>Eastern Beauty</i>. I do think of her as an Arab beauty since she is obviously Middle Eastern and the Middle East reminds me of Arabs. I would daresay a Persian Beauty. I'm also working on 2 smaller pieces, Dimensions Gold Geisha and Lanarte called <i>Arabian Woman, </i>another of Lanarte's Cultures Collection. I would love to own and stitch them all. They are quite fascinating and prove Marco Polo's point when he told Kubla Khan that every country on the world boasts women who are beautiful in their own way when asked which country had the most beautiful women.<br />
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At any rate, here is the nearly completed <i>Eastern Beauty</i> from Lanarte and it is a haunting piece. I'll post the finished piece once I've stitched all the remaining bits and bobs and added the metallic silver threads. Don't forget to click on the picture to make it bigger. <br />
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Happy stitching.<br />
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<br />Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-12013164277742166932014-11-17T12:45:00.001-08:002014-11-17T12:45:20.086-08:0025 Days of ChristmasGo and win at <a="http://victorianmottosamplershoppe.blogspot.com/2014/11/25-days-of-christmas-your-favorite.html?showComment=1416257000873#c4247527097329991682zzzzzzzzz">Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe</a> if that is your thing. If nothing else, a chance to win the fabric and floss to make your projects special is perfect for Xmas. Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-35130103878913796362014-03-12T12:15:00.000-07:002014-03-12T12:15:49.938-07:00Tireless Tree Skirt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been recuperating from my nasty fall and have only recently been able to work on the tree skirt. I have managed some progress.</div>
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It continues to amaze me just how big this thing actually is. Working on each section hasn't given me any real idea of its size, but I'm sure how big it is now since I unrolled it and tried to take a picture. I think next time I'll hang it on the wall to get the fullest view. For now, here is where I am. </div>
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This is the lower part of the tree skirt with the addition.<br />
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Here is what I've managed so far. From about the last quarter of the bow in the center to the right is all new. I'm almost done with the latest section.<br />
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This is more than a yard of fabric (45 x 45) and the finished piece will be 40" x 40", so it is a considerably large tree skirt that will require at least a 6-foot tree. Better start saving now so I can afford it, although finding a place to put it will be yet another challenge. Maybe I can get rid of the furniture and place it in the center of the living room. Too early to say.<br />
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Happy stitching. <br />
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<br />Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-67678289320200835392014-03-06T09:29:00.002-08:002014-03-06T09:29:43.222-08:00Sampler GiveawayNancy over at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe is giving away a free sampler chart of your choice. Some come with Nancy's own overdyed floss and some without that have DMC choices.<br />
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<a href="http://victorianmottosamplershoppe.blogspot.com/2014/03/pick-sampler-chart-give-away.html" target="_blank">Enter for a chance to get a free sampler</a>. All you need to do is follow and comment. Spread the word.<br />
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<br />Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-24751142729869285152014-02-24T12:05:00.000-08:002014-02-24T12:05:05.331-08:00February Update This has been a bad couple of weeks for me, so I'm making myself feel better by sharing what I'd accomplished before all the disaster hit my house -- and me.<br />
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I finished the last section on the left side of the tree skirt and began work on the right half. I didn't get very far, but it's a beginning. I also finished one smaller piece from Sweetheart Tree and go down to the crunch without the beads on another Sweetheart Tree piece. I'd say Sweetheart Tree is my favorite designer of smaller pieces -- so far.<br />
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Now for the tree skirt unveiling. Click on the pictures to make them bigger and see the slide show. <br />
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This is everything up to now, without the back stitching and beads. It is beginning to look like something at last. Stitched on 14-count white Aida with provided thread, silver braid, iridescent blue blending filament, and blue, white, and lavender beads.<br />
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Close-up of last part of left half of design. The tips of the ribbon got cut off when I cut the section, but they are there. I guarantee that . . . and they're also visible in the above photo.<br />
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The little bit I managed before the disaster. Like I said before, it's a beginning and that is where everything starts.<br />
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I have a thing for dragonflies so I decided on Dragonfly Dreams by Sweetheart Tree. I have trouble with the Algerian stitch that goes on the inside border. I couldn't seem to get it even or make it look quite right, so I'd been practicing just a line of Algerians on a scrap of cloth, working on them until they look good enough to put into the actual piece. There are beads, beads, beads to add, but I'll get to them eventually.<br />
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Stitched on 28 count Platinum Belfast Linen using #SV-CP375 Lavender
Cats-Eye Luminescent Bead (included), DMC floss and Mill Hill Antique
Seed Beads. Stitch count 56wx56h. <br /><br />
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The last one from Sweetheart Tree is Spring Fantasy. I love the delicate colors and the hint of spring that this evokes. It too should have a line of Algerian stitches around the inside border, but (as you can see by the holes that will disappear with washing and ironing) I couldn't get them to look right so I finished the beading and back stitching. I imagine that once I get the stitch down, I will revisit this and add the Algerians. Otherwise, this is as finished as it gets before framing. Can't decide on a card or a box for treasures for this one. That remains to be seen.<br />
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Stitched on 28 Ct. Confederate Gray linen with DMC floss, Mill Hill
beads, 2.5mm White pearls and a pink cat's eye heart treasure. 47H x 47W<br />
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Oh, the disaster. Well, I took a nasty fall that left me with a fractured ankle, 2 broken toes (still black and beginning to look reddish-purple in a couple spots, but mostly black), and a badly sprained wrist. It has taken me quite a while to get this all down since I can only type one-handed with the slow assist of a couple fingers on the right hand. Yes, you read that right. My right hand is in a brace and I'm off work and can't stitch and can't find my Kindle. I know it's around here somewhere, and I will find it, but until I do, there are still lots of books to prop up on a pillow on my lap and read. Good thing I use my left hand for turning pages.<br />
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Happy stitching. <br />
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<br />Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-85187497525643623202014-02-23T09:37:00.005-08:002014-02-23T09:37:46.639-08:00WinnerDrum roll, please.<br />
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The winner of the $25 gift certificate to 123Stitch is Rebecca. Please contact me with your information so I can send your winnings.<br />
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I do apologize for taking so long to post the winner. I took a bit of a tumble and am working with a few hurdles, like a badly sprained wrist. Makes typing one-handed a bit difficult and cross stitching is out of the question. Good thing I like to read.<br />
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In the meantime, happy stitching. Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-8011437320397224832014-02-18T07:26:00.001-08:002014-02-23T09:40:09.793-08:00Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: Is it time for a Spring floss give-away? YES!!! 10 winners!<a href="http://victorianmottosamplershoppe.blogspot.com/2014/02/is-it-time-for-spring-floss-give-away.html?showComment=1392737132098#c5582003469766029970">Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: Is it time for a Spring floss give-away? YES!!! 10 winners!</a><br />
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Tell them Jackie sent you. Spring colors for the promise of spring. Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-80391900250270527242014-02-12T13:20:00.000-08:002014-02-12T13:20:36.069-08:00Making Progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had not intended to update so soon, but here I am. I made some progress on the Winter White tree skirt and took pictures on Saturday after some stitching and again this morning to show how much more I got done. It is coming along very nicely and I'm almost finished with part C. Everything starts with part D and proceeds from there.<br />
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This was where I was on Saturday. I decided to go back and do all the silver braid and work it in along with the rest of the stitching. I still don't think doubling the braid works because it is too bulky and not at all attractive -- at least not to me. Working with shorter lengths makes the stitching easier, but it also means wasting more of the braid since it gets pulled and separated while stitching. Good thing there is a lot of braid included.<br />
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Close-up of the braided section. I'm considering doing some of the back stitching as well, but haven't quite made up my mind yet. The braid does make a lovely addition.<br />
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Today's stitching and a whole new section is nearly finished. I pulled out the A chart to use up the tweeded floss for the pine tree. I don't like wasting it and it just makes more sense to use it now instead of letting it get tangled up in the waste pile.<br />
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This is part of the new section with the ornaments and silver braid stitched in. Lots of pine boughs to go, but I'm getting there.<br />
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This ornament has a little cap at the top. That's where there are no stitches yet. The pattern calls for a silvery grey, but I've decided to drag out the Japan silver and do the cap with that. It looks like bugle beads in silver and will look more like what it is supposed to be. There are lots of beads to add, but I'll get to those later. I'm glad it is moving along so quickly.<br />
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I'll update again to share my progress, trials, and failures. Yes, there will be -- and have been -- failures. In the meantime,<br />
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Happy Stitching. <br />
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<br />Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-71561100815178331192014-02-09T13:10:00.000-08:002014-02-09T13:10:55.251-08:00Not Even Halfway Finished I don't think I realized how big this tree skirt actually will be until I
unrolled it last night to check on my current progress. Wow! It is much
bigger than I thought and I am not even halfway finished. I do love the
way it looks thought and that's even without all the silver braid for the ornaments and ribbon and
blending filament for the snowflakes that goes with it.<br />
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A friend of mine said the tree skirt is ambitious. She may be right. As I told her, I hope, as Gram always said, my eyes aren't too big for my stomach.<br />
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It is pretty though and I'm determined to get it done this year. Now I wonder if I'll get anything else done since I'm stitching this. Time will tell.<br />
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It's good to stretch a bit outside your comfort zone to reach a little bit more skill, experience, and ambition. Other large tasks will be less daunting.<br />
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Happy stitching. <br />
Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-76660721450676352362014-02-07T10:54:00.000-08:002014-02-07T10:54:34.825-08:00CelebrationsSince I am sending a picture of my brand new composite birthday card to a friend for advice, I thought I'd share it here.<br />
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I made one cross stitch card for my closest friend for her birthday, but I decided the card I made for my sister needed something more. That's when I stumbled into scrapbooking and card making and all the embellishments and doodads available. Not wanting to take too deep a plunge, I chose three simple elements and just finished adding them. What do you think?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-WTpI1nTSShnTRkY_3vW_10qyX137aDeKWkAqx__UaU5ohxg9BxR13J_snjACpEOlwLPClDY_Ejo9MYbys7vhLteDqOhC3_5HbbZeu4RUgeF9zSabwTTvgEFH6rZZDPTjseJ0UGXwJ0/s1600/Cards+&+Skirt+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-WTpI1nTSShnTRkY_3vW_10qyX137aDeKWkAqx__UaU5ohxg9BxR13J_snjACpEOlwLPClDY_Ejo9MYbys7vhLteDqOhC3_5HbbZeu4RUgeF9zSabwTTvgEFH6rZZDPTjseJ0UGXwJ0/s1600/Cards+&+Skirt+003.JPG" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
My sister hates pink, but it goes with the roses. Maybe the banner at the top is too much -- or at least too many. I'll do better next time.<br />
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As for the other element of celebration, what would Xmas be without a tree -- or a tree skirt. I've put in some more time stitching and have made some progress.<br />
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Not too shabby, especially since I've added more since this picture was taken a couple of days ago. The stitching moves forward. It's a beginning.<br />
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What projects are keeping you busy these days? Share them.<br />
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And Happy Stitching. <br />
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<br />Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-21796075672112665482014-02-07T09:39:00.000-08:002014-02-07T10:09:38.845-08:00February Giveaways<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5hQIW4SJD_P0eyrgK2To7wAaEyW8bR-bM6GT9f9_W-3bbQcFy7qmB2bn7mZO-2Cwdnqjy4CV4Op5udiSxjn9W-PjagAxhrUzBu1UwESbD-2V82FVvhbBqoOoXWeXVlAQd8zb7X0IMV8/s1600/giveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5hQIW4SJD_P0eyrgK2To7wAaEyW8bR-bM6GT9f9_W-3bbQcFy7qmB2bn7mZO-2Cwdnqjy4CV4Op5udiSxjn9W-PjagAxhrUzBu1UwESbD-2V82FVvhbBqoOoXWeXVlAQd8zb7X0IMV8/s1600/giveaway.jpg" /></a></div>
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The blog at <a href="http://wisdomwithneedleandthread.blogspot.com/2014/02/back-to-butterflies-smalls-february-sal.html" target="_blank">Wisdom with Needle & Thread</a> is giving away some lovely pieces.<br />
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A painted Limoges butterfly box <a href="http://wisdomwithneedleandthread.blogspot.com/2014/01/this-butterfly-is-free-and-celebrating.html" target="_blank">here</a><br />
A Valentine box complete with Cupids <a href="http://wisdomwithneedleandthread.blogspot.com/2014/01/january-2014-smalls-sal-plus-another.html" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
A purple beaded scissors fob <a href="http://wisdomwithneedleandthread.blogspot.com/2014/02/back-to-butterflies-smalls-february-sal.html" target="_blank">here.</a> If you have trouble finding your scissors when you need them, this is a lovely way to make them easier to find.<br />
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All the above were created by Kim.<br />
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<a href="http://bythebayneedleart.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">By the Bay Needleart</a> is giving away a chart to make a lovely winter holiday sampler <a href="http://bythebayneedleart.blogspot.com/2014/02/winter-holiday-giveaway.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I'm not much for samplers, but I know people who love them, so if I win I'll stitch it as a gift for them. Hurry on this one because the drawing is tomorrow, February 8.<br />
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At <a href="http://bengalcatlover10.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Stitchin' with my Furbabies</a>, Linda is offering a <a href="http://bengalcatlover10.blogspot.com/2014/02/starts-26-31-and-giveaway.html" target="_blank">$20 gift certificate</a> to my favorite cross stitch place on the Internet - 123stitch.com. I wouldn't mind winning that one. Contest ends Feb. 15 so get busy and sign up.<br />
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<a href="http://debbiescrossstitch.blogspot.com/2014/02/wonderful-giveaways.html" target="_blank">SoCal Debbie</a> is also offering a $20 gift certificate to 123stitch.com. With two gift certificates, I could buy more floss and fabric and, oh, lots of things. Wish me luck. In the meantime, I'll join in the spirit of fun and offer a $25 gift certificate to <a href="http://www.123stitch.com/" target="_blank">123stitch</a> as a way to celebrate my birthday on Feb 17th. In order to win, you can enter three ways:<br />
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<li>Join this blog</li>
<li>Comment</li>
<li>Link to this post</li>
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Good luck and happy stitching. Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-58013755427756129722014-02-02T09:06:00.002-08:002014-02-02T09:06:51.716-08:00Returning to the Past I was so busy working on other projects, I only managed a couple of days
on the Needle Treasures Winter White Tree Skirt, which I've had for a
couple of years. Last night I took it out of the package and worked on
it as I have off and on for a week in January. I'm pleased with the
results since I am done with one full section, minus the silver braid
which I won't add until all the other stitching is done. Makes the fabric too stiff to work with. I had the same problem with the Winter White Xmas stockings I did for my granddaughters. Live and learn.<br />
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This is the finished tree skirt. Looks lovely. A quilted deep blue background with gold stars would be appropriate, if I can find one. Alternatively, I'll buy the right fabric and quilt it myself when I finish the skirt.<br />
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The work in the middle section is one sheet of the pattern. There are a couple of stitches missing, but I'll fill in those as I work on section C of the pattern. It's even pretty with just this much done, and the magnolias have not even been back stitched. <br />
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Not too shabby for so little time. I might even finish it this year. Pick up a project you've put aside for a while and work on that this year. I've no more stockings to make for grandchildren, so I have lots of time to work on this. There is still the Japanese Maiden to finish, but I need a break from all the back stitching, of which there is still a ton to do.<br />
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I also made two birthday cards, or rather stitched the inserts for 2 birthday cards. When the rest of the elements get here, I'll put the last flourishes on the last card and send it off in time for the birthday celebration. One thing I didn't realize is how far I've tripped over into card making, which is an offshoot of scrapbooking. My goodness, but what a lot of equipment and dies and templates and flourishes and embellishments and, well, cost, involved. It took me over 20 years to amass my cross stitch stash. Scrapbooking would be too much for my meager budget. As Little Orphan Annie would say, "Gloriosky!"<br />
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In the meantime, happy stitching. Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-63487158162878102042014-01-28T09:27:00.000-08:002014-01-28T09:28:02.624-08:00Backstitching the BrideI thought I'd share how far I've come in the backstitching for the Japanese Maiden and how much of a difference it makes.<br />
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What looked muddy and off color to me when I stitched it now looks much more beautiful with the back stitching. I am amazed at how she is turning out and how lovely the gold threaded stitches look.<br />
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The backstitching makes such a difference. The bride is much more prominent against the background and the cranes on her kimono are more vibrant as well.<br />
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It is difficult to see the gleam of the gold thread in the designs on the hat. Looks much better in person. Maybe when it is framed it will be more obvious in a photo, but I think I'll have to get a special lens and better camera skills to make that possible. Trust me; it looks beautiful in person.<br />
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I should finish by February and I am very pleased with the work so far. A few more days of stitching and she will be a fait accompli. That's a good thing. <br />
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Don't forget to click on the pictures to see them up close. Happy stitching<br />
<br />Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-91478886104902961152014-01-26T09:16:00.001-08:002014-01-26T09:16:41.608-08:00Japanese Maiden - Only Back Stitching Left <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I reached an important goal last night. I finished stitching the Japanese Maiden by Dimensions Gold. I had just enough of the floss to complete the last part of the border, and I was sweating it. The stitching is all finished. All that remains is the back stitching and that will take almost as long as stitching the whole piece -- or at least that is the way it feels. </div>
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Every stitch is in place and I'm ready to add the definition that comes with back stitching so the flowers, birds, leaves, and details of this bride's clothes will pop. I'm really done with the stitching. I finished. </div>
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This is where I was last weekend with just the upper corner to do.<br />
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Here is where I stopped last night after taking out an extra row of stitching and cleaning up the tag ends on the back. She is done.<br />
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When I begin a project, I am always excited about the journey to come. At about the mid point, I feel like I'll never be done, especially with large projects like this. Like a pregnant woman who is close to her due date, I'm ready for it all to be over, the last stitch in place and the job finished. I look back over everything I've accomplished and get that warm glow of accomplishment that comes before the inevitable slide into the place where I realize I still have all that back stitching to do. It's a little like a roller coaster ride, with ups and downs and sideways bumps and careening around the tight curves, and the results are almost always good.<br />
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I did take a little while yesterday to stitch a birthday card for a friend, but came right back determined to finish -- and I did.<br />
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Whatever the ride stitching is for you, it's always worth it. Happy stitching. <br />
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<br />Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-35445173806332815862014-01-20T12:33:00.002-08:002014-01-20T12:34:11.584-08:00Finishes: Big and SmallI didn't plan on posting any more pictures of the Japanese Maiden until she was all stitched, but I couldn't resist. After a couple weekends of stitching, I finally have the maiden finished. Well, except for 2 stitches in her ring. I discovered she is a Japanese bride. She is quite lovely and I'm proud of her. All that is left is the outside border and most of the back stitching and then off to the framers. I did wonder about leaving off the outside border and having her framed as a round, but that didn't occur to me until after I had stitched the left side of the border. Too late and I'm not about to rip it all out either.<br />
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A few more stitches to go.<br />
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She's all there now, and so is some of the right hand border. She is quite beautiful and I'm proud of myself. She's getting there.<br />
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It always seems such a surprise when I get to the point where a project is nearly done. I remember the blank canvas and the first few stitches and how long a road it looks from that point, but I always get there. She is quite simply a marvel and I stitched it all.<br />
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Happy stitching. From small beginnings come big finishes -- and the biggest finish is yet to come.<br />
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Don't forget to click on the pictures to make them bigger. <br />
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<br />Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-69869850149670547002014-01-13T08:51:00.000-08:002014-01-13T08:51:22.373-08:00Returning to JapanAfter all the Christmas madness, I decided to return to an old friend. That is what Dimensions Gold Japanese Maiden seems like to me. I have stitched on her off and on over the past year and it sometimes seems like so much longer. Doesn't matter because I got into the groove quickly.<br />
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This is where I was when I left off in September. It doesn't seem like so much now.<br />
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Here is the latest progress. There is so much more there there. I'm pleased with what a couple of days will do.<br />
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The obligatory close-up of what was actually done.<br />
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Close-up of the face. I decided to back stitch the face a little. Took me three tries to get the mouth right, but I'm finally satisfied with it. I may have to redo the right eyebrow, but she looks so different with the lines stitched in. Gives her more personality and brings together the different elements and colors of the face.<br />
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I often break up long works by doing something else, lately a small project like the Gingerbread and Jingle mice, but also by going back to other longer works. I had to rip out a couple of sections, other than the back stitching around the mouth, but I'm pleased with the results and that is all that matters.<br />
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In the meantime, happy stitching. <br />
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<br />Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-76295034688604796942013-12-31T22:14:00.000-08:002013-12-31T22:14:33.013-08:00Just Nan Gingerbread and Jingle Mice Though I've seen the little mice, owls, and birds, I really didn't think
it would be something I'd do, but here I am having finished 2
gingerbread mice. They are meant to be ornaments and they are this
year's ornaments to myself. <br />
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I chose 32-count opalescent raw Belfast linen instead of the almond or
raw linen suggested, adding a bit of glisten to the fabric. The Kreinik
#4 very fine braid (002L) added even more glimmer and it goes well with
the material. Putting the mice together was new for me but went quickly.
It took 3 days to make these 2 charming little mice (1 day each of
stitching and a couple of hours to sew, stuff, and finish). They will
hang on my Xmas tree in 2014. <br />
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Gingerbread and Jingle Mice <br />
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Just to show how small these are, I've set them next to a packet of cross stitch needles.<br />
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Jingle mouse after stitching.<br />
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Gingerbread mouse after stitching.<br />
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The faint blue lines is from a water soluble marker so I know where to cut. Jingle Mouse.<br />
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Gingerbread mouse again, same deal with the marker.<br />
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Finished sewing and showing off. They are really tiny.<br />
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Everyone likes close-ups.<br />
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Last but not least, another close-up.<br />
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I stitched these as an experiment. I had to restitch one of the mice twice because I didn't get the seams straight. Reminds of of stockings with seams you needed to get straight so you didn't look lazy or unkempt. Mostly lazy. They are finished and ready to hang, although I think I'll tighten up the hanger on the Jingle Mouse.<br />
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This was fun, but I doubt I need to repeat this experiment. In the meantime, Happy New Year and happy stitching. <br />
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Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-66353130818295039352013-12-20T09:56:00.000-08:002013-12-20T09:56:03.539-08:00Zombie StockingsWell, I'm getting down to the wire, but it looks like I'll make it -- as long as I send the stockings next day instead or Priority Mail, which isn't much of a priority and takes a week instead of 1-2 days even when sending it two states away. Go figure.<br />
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I finished my granddaughters' stockings and they have been delivered and are ready to hang Xmas Eve, so now all I need to do is finish a friends' boys' stockings and get them out by Monday -- Next Day of course. Don't forget to click on the photos to make them bigger. <br />
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Those glowy greenish ornaments actually do glow in the dark. They're from Kreinik's Halloween line of blending filaments. They really do glow in the dark.<br />
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Why, yes that is a severed finger hanging from the top of the tree and it glows in the dark too.<br />
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Yes, that black dog on the left actually is standing on a human brain, or at least my idea of a brain that goes with the same style of design as the rest of the stocking, and the squirrels are fighting over a zombie hand coming out of the dirt. It is after all an outdoor xmas tree for the animals and they always like a little fresh -- or even rotten -- meat.<br />
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Dylan's stocking has been more of a challenge. I finally figured our how to finish Miss Zombie 2013 and I designed as I stitched.<br />
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The skull looks rather nice I think, especially since I added some Kreinik black blending filament that shimmers in just the right shade of black. I think it works.<br />
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The last ornament is still unstitched, but I've narrowed the choices down to two. I'll decide which one works best and put it in there tonight. I love the mix of mistletoe and holly berries and greenery and I think the whole thing works -- well, as well as any zombie Xmas themed stocking can work. Adjustments have been made but I'm mostly happy with them.<br />
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In the meantime, try something new, stretch yourself, and happy stitching. <br />
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<br />Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-32535460510982900272013-12-08T07:20:00.000-08:002013-12-08T07:20:39.222-08:00Stockings ready to hang Since I got all the pieces for finishing my grandchildren's stockings yesterday, I got busy, and I do mean busy. I haven't sewn anything this ambitious by hand in ages, so I decided do sew all three stockings by hand. It took all day, but the results are nice.<br />
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Here are Addy and Tori's stockings put together without the lining and hanger. I saw some metal snowflakes and decided to add them to the design. I used winter cream felt for the backing. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8iCUCOA0u29tyg5xrzb7M6lcHJhuDExSPuCcnNvVT5wN60qS1r-tkCVupWkFRA6d6h5Znqfu-Zb8im1mhWw7TZTdb0V0Q6ZwAxgwOu_gkFnVCTayIhK4V_Y-D8F1S4b8Y2G3fwfROrM/s1600/Almost+finished+T&A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8iCUCOA0u29tyg5xrzb7M6lcHJhuDExSPuCcnNvVT5wN60qS1r-tkCVupWkFRA6d6h5Znqfu-Zb8im1mhWw7TZTdb0V0Q6ZwAxgwOu_gkFnVCTayIhK4V_Y-D8F1S4b8Y2G3fwfROrM/s320/Almost+finished+T&A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Jordan's stocking is put together with its blue felt backing.<br />
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I went with a plain white cotton lining last year, but I had some christmasy material that I got by mistake when I ordered quilted fabric. I should have checked because the fabric should have been pre-quilted and not ready for quilting. Never one to waste anything, I used it for the lining this year and for a bit of color at the top of Addy and Tori's stockings.<br />
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I made a hanger out of the cross stitch material for Addy's stocking.<br />
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The lining fabric was so pretty I decided to use it to make the hanger for Tori's stocking.<br />
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A braided yarn hanger is all that I added to Jordan's stocking to make it ready to hang. The lining is hidden inside waiting to be filled by Santa Christmas Eve.<br />
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All three stockings and linings were sewn by hand. I can still do that - the sewing I mean. It would have been faster on the sewing machine, but I decided to put a little extra time and love into these stockings. They're done and ready for mailing now. The kids won't see them until Christmas morning, but hopefully their parents will like what they see.<br />
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Don't forget to click on the pictures to see the expanded view. Happy stitching. <br />
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<br />Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7662720693554680399.post-20575432723072937492013-11-18T06:27:00.000-08:002013-11-18T06:27:35.754-08:00Remembering SantaThis morning, my aunt sent me a photo of the Santa Claus they have hung on the wall for over 40 years as part of their annual decorations. The Santa was rescued from the trash bin at my mothers, to whom I had originally given it. My aunt and uncle rescued it and my aunt had it cleaned, framed and matted, and has hung it proudly every year since then. I did a lot of Santas over 20 years ago when I began cross stitching and I wasn't sure which one it was. I still can't believe it was in the trash, but I'm sure a lot of things went into the trash that were gifts from me. I'm not upset at all; my mother also gave away a Gutenberg Bible, and <b>original</b> Gutenberg Bible worth millions of dollars, but then she wasn't knowledgeable about such things.<br />
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So, here we are this morning and I look for the first time on the piece I stitched more than 2 decades ago and I begin to remember. I remember it was in a magazine and said everything I wanted to say about Xmas and Santa Claus -- and it is beautiful (even if I did stitch it).<br />
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I think he's beautiful and I'm glad he has a home where he is loved and appreciated. <br />
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My aunt also sent me a photo of the anniversary sampler's new home among a photo of their extensive family and their 3 youngest grandchildren. She said it was the sampler's permanent home and I'm pleased it has what my uncle told me is a place of honor.<br />
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Not a bad beginning to the morning or the first working day of the week. When it all comes down to it, where a gift ends up, preferably where someone loves and appreciates the gift, is where it belongs. I'm thankful for my aunt and uncle rescuing Santa and sharing him with me and everyone who visits their home during the holidays.<br />
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Happy stitching.<br />
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<br />Jacklyn Cornwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07703031152094274587noreply@blogger.com0