A happy finish...

She's done - completed a few days ago, and finally photographed.
Now to find a proper frame, but that will have to wait until summer's end...




I made a few small changes such as adding the completion date and my own initials.



It was also the first time I've stitched over one thread ( Ann's name and year) - I dreaded it at first, but it was not so bad after all!
It was a lot of fun stitching this sampler, but for now I'll take a break from Quaker samplers and pick up some stitching in need of my attention, or will I start something new? Let me enjoy this finish first for a little while....

not far to go...

Even though I've been away for quite some time from my blog and you all, that didn't mean you weren't in my thoughts!
With the wonderfully warm and sunny weather, I've been away from the computer and spending time outdoors and with friends.
The Challenge posed be me by my friend Marni I haven't forgotten either, I've been working hard to reach it, but doubt if I will make it - I will do my very best though!

In the evenings, when we haven't had company pop in, I've sat and stitched as much as I could.
I'm still really enjoying this sampler, even with the occasional glitch caused by the faults found in the original pattern, causing me to spend precious time taking out stitches instead of making them! Not matter, it gave the brain cells a workout....lol!

Here's where I've left off.....



...and speaking of workouts, that's another thing I've picked up whilst gone from here, going back to the gym, which is where I'm headed to now!

I also want to say a big thank you to all of you who sent such kind responses and encouragements!
I'll try not to stay away too long....

cheers,
heidi

taking on the challenge...

While the painters are working on our home, and the wind blows cold and hard against the windows, I've been stitching away wondering if I will get Anne finished by May 1st.



There hasn't been much time to have long sit-down sessions, so I've been taking a few minutes here and there, even if it's just to do a few stitches. Surprisingly, it's added up nicely and progress is coming along. I'd thought I'd get tired of the Quaker motifs, but no, it's still just as much fun stitching them!

That, plus the incredibly kind words I've received from all of you who commented on the completion of Hannah Beeby, has, like Chicken Soup for a cold, really done me a lot of good and has motivated me even more to complete this larger sampler. Thank you so much!
Add a challenge from a dear friend with what seems a daunting deadline....

...and you've got me signing off so I can go back to my Ann!

Marni's Challenge

My dear friend Marni has challenged me, thrown down the gauntlet:

"Now Miss Heidi, we have a race- me across the US from San Diego to St. Augustine, and you to finish Anne. You have until May 1. at a stitch per mile that's only 3200 stitches give or take."

On your mark, get set, go.


Ok Marni, I accept the challenge!

The rest of you...wish me luck!!! ...and Marni too, with her race!

Another Quaker Sampler

..and this time it's Ann Grimshaw 1818, an Ackworth School Quaker Sampler.



progress so far....





a close up....

It's going to be short and sweet for a while here, still busy with the house, and have other priorities to attend to. I will however, be going to the Handwerk Beurs in Zwolle this weekend. There will be all sorts of crafts featured, including knitting, spinning, cross stich, and quilting. Hope to be able to take some photos and report back to you all about that.
In the meantime, I'll try to catch up on blogs, and see what everyone has been up to - I do miss seeing all that wonderful stuff!

TaaDaah!

Happy Day!
My first finish for 2009....



I'm very pleased with how this sampler came out, and how much fun it was to stitch.
This is the first sampler I've ever completed! I've used the word "completed" but actually it's not really done yet, is it? Now the question is: Do I frame it myself or have it done? Do I display it with glass, or without?
In France, at shows and in shops, I've noticed that the works are framed, but no glass is used. Many I've asked prefer it that way because they feel it brings out the relief in the stitching. I found it very pretty as well.
So, any advice, comments and experiences with this would be greatly appreciated!

In the meantime, since we're still in the middle of re-doing our attic, and my sewing room is being used as a temporary storage room, I'll be "forced" to stick to stitching until the work upstairs is done. All current quilting projects are machine sewn ones, and there's no way a mouse can squeeze through the stacks of boxes , let alone quilt in peace!

So for today, I'll be going through some works in progress and see which one will get some attention...perhaps Ann Grimshaw?

almost there!

Hoi! (as we say here in Holland)

The weekend has begun!  I started to write this post yesterday, but completely got side-tracked and forgot about it until now.  The reason for the distraction?  I've been playing with a DSLR (digital reflex camera) that I'm thinking of buying.  I get to test run it this weekend, so want to take every opportunity to do so.
But even though I'll be playing with a camera for most of the weekend, I did manage to make some progress on Hannah!



I'm so very pleased with how this is turning out - I'm just about done with the little pyramid, and will be starting the last two motifs this evening or tomorrow - stitch up the letters, and who knows, next week I may present my first finish of the year 2009!

Have a creative weekend!

Happy Friday!

Want to share some more progress on Hannah Beeby - had less time to work on this sampler, as I've been making a dent in clearing and cleaning out the attic, box by box.
Priority being my stash and making sure that nothing gets tossed out "by accident"! Bags and boxes of wool fleece, yarns, old fabrics, crafty "things" and gadgets, etc. Some of you may have done this and know what a task it is!
Next are books, magazines, CD's, vidoes, clothes and coats....pffft!

It probably looks much worse than it seems, and one always seems to create more mess while going through the process, but I just keep telling myself, it's all for a good cause: having a really nice attic to relax in, lounge, host friends and guests.

But here's a picture of Hannah's progress....


The three large hexagons are now done!
My only grumble about this pattern is that it's broken up into sections, and it's a bit of a fiddle to make sure you continue properly from one page to the next. I managed upon advice from a friend to tape some together, but not all of the pages line up ( I made copies for myself - I didn't tear up the pattern book) making it tricky to follow. Other than that, it's basically smooth sailing.

Since the beginning of this year I haven't touched anything quilty - just focused on Hannah, but tomorrow that will change. Together with some friends, old and new, we'll be spending the day together, visiting quilt shops, lunching and quilting at my house.
I've made a new year's resolution that finishing existing projects would be the priority, leaving myself only one gift quilt to make (promised months ago), and one new quilt project for which I'll be picking up the fabrics for tomorrow.

So there you have it! I'm heading back up into the attic, and wish you all very good and creative weekend!

heidi

good progress...

Hi Ho!
Hope you all had safe and happy Holiday celebrations! We enjoyed being with friends and family, are slowly recovering from all that eating and socializing and getting back into the normal rhythm of life. School starts on Monday again, the house will be quiet, and it'll be good to pick up quilting projects lain aside for a few weeks, as the sewing room became the place to wrap and store presents temporarily...lol!

I'm surprised myself, but did manage, between all those social commitments to get (for my doing) quite a bit of stitching done and share it with you now:



I'm telling you, this sampler is practically stitching itself!
It's really become one of those projects you stay up later for to work on, or get up in the morning for to do a few stitches before breakfast. It's still a mystery why, but hey - I'm not not complaining!

Well, it's another short post, but it's time to walk Darwin, and watch the ice skaters on our now frozen lake in the park. And upon my return, before I can sit down to work on Hannah, I've just got to have a go on our new WaterRower. It was the family Christmas gift. Better for your health than a new flatscreen tv, no?

take care,
heidi

on a friday night...

One friday night, a few good old movies and 3 motifs done!

This sampler is just zipping along now, and has progressed in the past two days, but there's been no time to photograph an update.  This has been the most enjoyable sampler I've worked on so far, and don't ask me why, it's just falling into place now, and so much fun!

duh!

I don't know what it is about this sampler, or perhaps it's just the state of my mind lately. I've been tired, trying to get through a mountain of back-logged things that need to get done around the house, the holidays are coming, and the very thing that is supposed to relax me has gotten my head in my hands.

Take a look - perhaps you more experienced stitchers will see the mistakes.

I did have friends take a look at it and it took them some time to discover them. Perhaps that means I could leave them in...

Regardless, I decided to continue to plod on, and give myself the choice of fixing the error or just leaving it in, on the basis of the "I always leave a mistake in my work" clause, or the "now my work is unique" clause.

Its still a fun sampler to work on ... /me smiles.....

a quick update

Hi Ho!
Finally managed to make a little time to quickly post some things. It's been very busy here lately and time has been scarce to be behind the computer. So without further ado, here's what I've been up to:

A table runner made up of left overs and scraps from a tryptic made a while back.  I decided to just start sewing, put the pieces together and see what happened.  Not an easy thing to do and had to change my mindset because I've been working on projects requiring accuracy, but so relaxing letting it all go but the brain in neutral and just let the fabrics to their thing!  

Sorry about the funky looking color, but after many, many moons I've picked up the knitting needles up again to finish this UFO, a pair of bright orange socks, a very basic pattern, destined to become a Christmas gift.  It had been such a long time since I had the needles in my hand, but really, it's just like, as they say, riding a bike!  It's tempting me to start knitting more regularly, even pull out the spinning wheel to spin up some fine wool, but "sigh" - there's lots more to finish first before throwing more projects on my plate!

Last but not least: a start on Hannah Beeby 1816.

I'm doing it in the recommended DMC colors, because I just didn't want to spend the extra money especially since I'm trying to maintain my stash diet, use what I have and only buy what I need, not want.  At first the diet was only intended for my fabrics, but I've extended it to all my crafts.  Besides, it'll free up lots of extra change to buy that digital reflex camera I've set my heart on: a Nikon D90.

I have the feeling I'm forgetting something, but oh well, it'll have to come another time.

Now it's back to the needles again, this time sewing on wayward buttons, patching jeans and waxing jackets..good fun!  

smiles,

heidi

a slow build: House #4

This weekend was spent doing lots of stuff around the house, but also sneaking in stitches here and there, together with longer bouts of stitching while "watching" or well,  listening to Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot solve murder mysteries.



I finally seem to be picking up a rhythm in this piece, and getting used to stitching big blocks of color so it is going much faster. Starting to "see" the pattern, if that makes any sense to you.  It's also the first time I've got a bent needle! Haven't changed to a new one yet, this one has adopted the form of my hand and I've gotten used to it. It made we wonder if any of you stitchers keep the same needle or if you change to a new one if the current one gets bent?

It has also put me to thinking about one of those stitch remover thingies - I've been using the needle to do that and that may have contributed to its current form..lol!

Time has also been spent working on a quilt project, but that I can't post yet as it's a gift. Due to certain circumstances, this project however simple, has become an emotional drain, and it takes every bit of self-coaching to get myself working on it. What once had me so encouraged, now has me dragging my feet. Every had that? This is a project that should have nothing but love in it, and I even tried to change the design, to give it a freshness, but to no avail. The worst part of it is it's a baby quilt.

What do you all do when you face something like this? Normally I'd put it away but in this case there's a dead line. End of the month. Any insights, ideas, would be so much appreciated!

have a happy monday!

picked up the stitching again...

and decided to get a start on the Houses of Hawk Run Hollow.
It's a change from working with only one color, and with these Au Ver A Soie silks its a pleasure! Here's a quick picture of the start. I'm beginning with house #4.



You'd think it was an easy pattern, the houses are pretty much square, a nice change of pace from the more fiddly bits of the Quaker and sampler pieces I've been working on, but no. Counting long rows of stitches once, twice, maybe three times takes time, and doesn't guarantee it's right! After a few false starts, I've finally gotten it right and have found a rhythm.

At least I'm doing something again. Life has been busy and I've been de-cluttering again, which has taken up much of my time, leaving little to quilt or cross stitch. Adding to that, Blogger has been very unkind, frustrating my access to my own blog and to leave comments on others! Today after a few attempts I was finally able to post today.

On a happier note, I picked up some goodies a few days ago, and can't wait to share them with you as soon as I have better lighting (it's dark and misty today). Also, a new little quilt is finally in the works - I'll be cutting the fabric today I hope and share that with you as soon as possible.

On this Tuesday, Election Day, I bid you happy stitching!

a lesson in boutis

Yesterday I had a wonderful day of learning and meeting new quilters at my favorite quilt shop,

 't Quiltgebeuren in the picturesque Brielle.  It's been a while since I've taken a class, and for this one I've waited more than 2 years to be able to learn under a student of Francine Born, a master of boutis.  Carla Erwich was our instructor, a lovely lady and a wonderful teacher.  Willy Alers, the shops' owner, was, as she always is, a wonderful hostess.  She made sure that everyone was comfortable, had everything they needed, and gosh - great lunches!  

Our small class of eight learned how to do boutis,  a 17th C technique from the French Provence.  It basically entails the assembly of two fine pieces of fabric ( cotton bastiste in our case) that are stitched together using a very fine quilting stitches, following a particular motif. Parts of the design are filled using thread (cotton, wool or a blend) to create a high relief.

The design is first drawn onto one layer.  Then the second layer is added underneath and the two are basted together.  The design is stitched through both layers using very fine stitches, and then filled with cotton or blended yarn.  The result is a high relief.  It's a bit of a fiddle at first, as the batiste is not very soft, and the design we had, quite intricate and small.  No fear, Carla our teacher was there to help us every step of the way, with patience and guidance.

Tracing the design onto the bastiste

Stitching over the design - very fine stitches are needed to prevent the filling from peeping out from between the stitching

A moment of silence and concentration....

Filling in the design - how fun it is to see it come alive!

Oh THAT's how you do it!

One of the examples that Carla brought along to show - beautiful!

I really enjoyed this class. Learning something completely new and different always energizes me.  Already, the creative wheels are turning and who knows how this experience will translate through my fingers onto a piece of fabric in perhaps a new way?  I guess you and me both will have to stay tuned to find out!

a place for snippets

It's been a while, and it's been very quiet on my blog, but behind the scenes I've been sewing like a demon!  That, and well, helping to build a chapel and plan the music for a virtual wedding in Second Life for a good friend.

In between the larger quilting projects that I've been working on, some time was put aside to make some quick things, as you do, to maintain the feeling of accomplishment.

Here's a quick shot of a snippets dispenser made last week. My quilting buddy An and I get together on Wednesdays and once in a while, when the mood strikes us, we try out a new pattern. After making a paper version to check if we understood the directions, we each made one in practically no time at all! Now mine is hanging off the back of the couch, right in the spot where I love to curl up and sew.

Here's the Texas Star UFO that's next on the list: I finally found the right backing fabric for the sober, simple look that I want.  The "shot cotton" from Kaffe Fassett is a very nice compliment to the central star and points of this block.  As soon as the log cabin is done, this will be next in line - it will be hand quilted.  A nice cozy thing to do on winter evenings!

As for other news, I'm really excited about finally (after a 2 year wait!) taking a course to learn Boutis.  Perhaps one day I'll realize my dream of having that white on white quilt adorning the bed, a beautiful family heirloom.  I'll promise to do my best and take pictures to post to share with you!

...and thanks Heidi for the poke to post!  I was surprised myself that time had gone by so quickly, but I'm back, and will be with more regularity.  It's very nice to know I was missed...lol!

It's just that sometimes I get caught up in my projects, with total focus, and forget about the blog...it's that groove thing again!

have a happy Monday all!

a quick gift

... of coasters in the colors of her home, made for a friend of mine - for her birthday, along with some other goodies tossed into a basket. These were made from Last-Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts : my first attempt in trying to make things other than quilts with my fabrics!

It's early evening here and the sun is that beautiful golden color that gives Fall that rich color - forgive the odd color of the photos....

I also picked up my backing, batting and thread for the Texas Star shown in the previous post, but will show a picture of that when the lighting is better - the sun is so golden that it looks like I'm on some planet in Star Trek, the glow is so odd! But pretty.

Anyhow, off to get ready for the party. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

still here....

Gosh, has it been that long?


No, I didn't go anywhere, I'm just in a groove right now, full-speed ahead sewing, making blocks for my triangle quilt, and knotting up the baby-rib quilt at night and finally catching up on those podcasts that are still from 2007!
Have you ever had that? Just got to work on something, you're in total rhythm, feeling the project, got it in your fingers, and don't want to stop? I got it now.

a quick project

Here's something I made quickly in an afternoon.  Recently I have begun to try to make small quick projects in between my normally big ones, so that I have the feeling of accomplishing something.  It's a simple pouch to house my soon to start Houses of Hawk Run Hollow in.  I find that if I have my things together, I tend to work on them more often.  So in this pouch I plan to just keep the pattern page and threads needed for each house, and leave the rest in my sewing room. 

This pouch was made from Japanese fabrics purchased a few years ago at the European Quilt Championships in Waalre, and some Japanese fabric squares lurking in my stash closet.  I'm still considering putting some sort of closure to cover the stitching on the front where I had to sew on the velcro.  

Here's the inside:

So now it's time to organize the threads, I think I'll just do it by block and add as I go along since I don't feel like spending the time preparing all the threads in one go!  Ok, call me lazy...LOL!

Well, now that's done, I can finally clear the space on my sewing table, put in a new needle and start quilting on my Red and White log cabin quilt - finally!  Wish me luck on that one  - I'm kind of nervous about it, but the practice of a little free hand quilting on this pouch has given me a wee bit more confidence to just go ahead and stop fiddle-faddle-ing and get right to it.  After all, I'll never know otherwise right?

just in....

Drema from Needlecraft Corner just sent me this ( in three days it arrived, I might add! ):

The Au Ver a Soie silks and 32 ct. Pearled Barley from Lakeside Linens so I can start on yet another project, The Houses of Hawk Run Hollow. This is a shot straight out of the well packed parcel...

Yeah, yeah, I'm late to the party; parusing the blogs I've noticed that many people have been working on it, have completed it or are on the Village of Hawk Run Hollow or The Shores of Hawk Run Hollow...but then again, I'm just a humble newbie and new to all of this!

No matter, the colors are luscious, and I'm chomping at the bit, but first things first.

1. help!  - always a moment of "panic" when starting yet another large project - why can't I ever do just little ones?

2. I've never worked with silks before - should be exciting!

3. How do I organize these threads? What are some of the best ways to keep them neat and tidy?

4. How do I figure out where to start on the linen?  I tend to start my works in the upper right hand corner - at least that's the way I'd like to do it with this pattern, and work my way from right to left, top to bottom.  This part always makes me nervous because you want it to be exact and not run out of linen.  Up until now, someone has always helped me with this, and the projects I've worked on were always on large pieces of fabric (ok - I've only been working on two pieces using only one color - the red and white and the Ann Grimshaw)

I've checked out my sparse library on the subject, but it looks like I'll have to "Google" a bit more and try some things out on my own.  

For now however, it's time to check out the repeat of the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.  I missed most of the live show on TV as I was off buying backing fabric ( I know, priorities!) for a quilt I'm making for my friend Mieke.  While watching I'll try to get some stitching done on Ann Grimshaw as well.

have a great weekend y'all!

heidi