Stitchery-Lovers' Alert

I've noted on others' blogs that January seems to be the month for getting oneself organized. Here in Iowa, winter's snow and extreme cold would normally keep me happily ensconced in my sewing area. Instead we've been experiencing unusually mild and record-setting weather, like a high of 62C/16C last Thursday! Still, everything I need to do is indoors, so I've still committed myself to doing some knee-deep purging and reorganizing.

Removing the lids of bins of craft supplies, yarn, smocking fabrics, orphan quilt blocks, Hardanger embroidery, and counted cross-stitch UFOs has nearly been my undoing! It's been appalling to find and count the incomplete needlework pieces that have been languishing for a dozen or more years. They're a testament to how my interests have changed.

Hopefully you'll find this is to your advantage. You see, I'm giving away these UFOs to anyone who will love them as much as I once did.

If you'd like one of these UFOs for yourself, or will give it to someone you know who loves needlework, and do your best to finish the piece, all you have to do is comment and tell me the number or name of the project you want. I'm offering them first-come, first-serve. The postage is on me.

Update: I knew that interest in these projects would come from people in Australia and New Zealand, but I didn't expect that so many would come from there. Due to the high cost of postage - certainly more than each project is worth - I find myself needing to change this giveaway to US commenters only. Please forgive my change of heart. Thanks for your understanding.

In no particular order, these are the eight incomplete projects I want to give away.

Project 1 - Colorwheel Square This is no longer available. 
This is counted cross-stitch with a few other stitches worked in too, per the included instructions. The design area already stitched measures about 3-3/4" square. Twelve floss colors come with this piece.

Project 2 - Hardanger Table Runner This is no longer available. 
There was a time when I was heavily into Hardanger embroidery, even winning a couple blue ribbons at the Iowa State Fair. This is a Hardanger table runner started in the mid-80's. Though the picture shows the 22-count Aida cloth as gray, it's really more of a "Williamsburg" blue. (How many of you remember that trendy color!?)

The design area already stitched measures 26" X 13". The person who gets this will need to do the cutwork part of Hardanger.

The perle cotton needed to stitch this is DMC #809, sizes 5 and 8. One ball of #809 size 8 is included in the bundle, along with the book.

Project 3 - Reindeer Ornaments This is no longer available. 
At one time I made Christmas ornaments every year. I guess I didn't finish the one planned for this particular year... in about 1990.

One reindeer design, 3" X 3" is stitched and only needs the glass beads (included in the bundle) added to his antlers. Another of the same reindeer design has been started, and is included, as is the book to make this and other ornament designs.

Project 4 - Christmas Village This is no longer available.
Oh, don't I still love this! It's a Stoney Creek Design called "The Village Tree." It's stitched over two threads of 28-count white Oslo, perhaps? The area already stitched - with metallic threads in the ornaments, I might add - measures 6-1/2" X 8." No DMC floss comes with it, but you get the book. This one will be a really pretty finish.

Project 5 - Serenity Prayer This is no longer available. 
I started "Serenity Prayer" in the 1990's. The area already stitched measures 10" X 11" and is all half-cross stitches. It's stitched on 28-count Aida cloth over two threads. DMC floss for finishing it isn't included, but the book is.

Project 6 - Silent Night
Still love this one too, but my eyes can't see to stitch on 18-count black Aida as well as they once did. It's another Stoney Creek design called "Silent Night." The area already stitched measures 5-1/2" X 7-1/2". No DMC floss comes with this, but you get the book.

Project 7 - Easter Eggs

At one time I annually put up an Easter egg tree. I have lots of smocked ornaments for it, and I guess I intended to add some counted cross-stitch ones too!

Both of these Easter eggs have been stitched and only need finishing... to be sewn around a styrofoam egg (not included in the bundle). I've included the ribbon and pins I meant to use to decorate the eggs. The pattern book comes with this, of course.

Project 8 - Winter Pines This is no longer available.

Quite honestly, this may be the piece no one wants! It's very fine stitching - a variety of stitches - done with silk thread. I took a workshop with Catherine Robinder (now deceased) in 1992 to make this "Winter Pines" Japanese-themed piece. The area already stitched measures 1" X 2-1/8". The bundle comes with instructions and silk threads. The piece is mounted on an 11" stretcher frame, so for that reason - the size and weight of the frame - I'd prefer to give or mail this to someone closer to Iowa. Thank you for understanding that.

After seeing these - my once insane interest in needlework - you might figure out that at one time I owned a shop, "The Stitchery Niche,"where I primarily sold counted cross-stitch patterns, fabrics, floss and supplies. For several years, from 1980-1983, the shop was in the upstairs of an old farmhouse (since torn down) on the north side of Altoona, Iowa. It was my hobby business when I was a young mom with five and one year-olds.

I hope that offering these UFOs doesn't offend you... like you're getting my cast-offs. Rather, I couldn't bring myself to trash the hours of stitching already in, what I consider, lovely pieces. Giving them to you, to a good home, would make me very happy.

Please leave a comment stating the number and/or name of the piece you want. I'll be in touch to get your snail-mail address. Thank you! Linda

Stitchery, Australian Style

I'm under the influence... of Australians! I've begun to take notice of how many projects - quilts and embroideries - I'm working on are based on what Australians are designing and making.

When the lovely Miss Di of Darling Point (Sydney) showed me the pretty, hand-embroidered quilt she'd made to remember a trip to Italy, interest in stitchery began to take hold of me.

Di herself designed each of the embroideries in this quilt! She's done a remarkable job of capturing the architectural features of the places she and her husband visited.

Thanks to Di, and two other stitchery designing friends - Jenny and Cheryl - I always have a stitchery or two in progress, though I haven't yet progressed to designing my own. That creative spark isn't sparking for me at this time.

For a couple weeks I've been working on "The Paris Collection" pattern by Natalie Lymer of Cinderberry Stitches. I bought my pattern in Sydney and, wouldn't you know, this summer found it for sale at a local quilt show.

Natalie certainly has a distinctive style.

I used Cosmo threads for the embroidery, and sewed the bag and coordinating needle case with Australian fabrics purchased from the Remnant Warehouse in Sydney. I have special memories of that day, fabric shopping with my dear friends, Di J. and Di B.

Fabrics are from the "Emperor's Garden" collection by "A Day in the Country" owner Sue Ross.

I know I'm going to enjoy using this as a stitchery tote. A girl can't have too many of those. (Lindi, I still love using the one you made for me.  Thank you! It's also very special.)

Friday Flaunt - Stitchery Article

I'm quite chuffed! This Quilters Newsletter arrived in the mail. On page 28 begins the five-page article I wrote about stitchery quilts (quilters) in Australia!

It was so interesting and enjoyable to interview the stitchers for this article.

Stitchers and quiltmakers are:

• Julie Donovan
• Cheryl Goss (Willowberry Designs)
• Di Jobbins
• Gail Pan (Gail Pan Designs)
• Jan Quigley
• Jenny Reynolds (Elefantz)
• Carol Richardson
• and, Vicki Tucek (Tozz's Corner)

Gosh, nearly everyone in Oz is a blogger too!

American Carrie Pippin stitched Cheryl Goss' "Verandah Views" BOM, and that quilt is featured too. Part of it is the stitched trellis and vines on the left-hand side.

One of Gail Pan's designs, "Little House" is included with the article. So, if you haven't tried stitchery, it's a great beginner project. Click here to see it on-line.

It's exciting to see one's articles in print. I'm hoping for the opportunity to write more about what stitchers and quilters are doing in Australia. Trends are different there, and it's great fun to share them with American quilters.

Since just returning from Sydney, I found that it's hexagons that seem to be dominating the scene. Everyone's working on some sort of hexie quilt. They're even offering programs on "Hexagon Madness." Now wouldn't you like to read a story about that?

Friday Flaunt - Fourth Ten in '10 Finished

Just to show you we occasionally do have sunny days in an interminably-long Iowa winter, this afternoon I took my finished "Stringing Colors" quilt outdoors to the back deck, to photograph in the sunshine. Yes, we definitely have heaps of snow left, but the sun makes dispositions a little better, even at -7 F (-22C) as it was this morning. Did I say interminably long? The latest buzz is to speculate how long it will be until all the snow melts. One guess was Mother's Day, May 9! Good grief.

I refilled six bobbins with 50-weight Aurifil to free motion quilt an all-over plume design on this 64" X 80" quilt.

The pattern is from www.Quiltville.com. It's Bonnie Hunter's "String Quilting Primer." I admit this quilt languished, pin-basted, for a year, before I got around to quilting it. So, I'm pleased it's finished, particularly because it was made from "nothing!" A free pattern, leftover strips, ugly fabrics... what's not to like about that?Another quilted piece - just a peek of it for now - is a design that comes from Leah, who has challenged herself to create 365 free motion quilting designs. This is my rendition of her Swirling Petals.

Using my latest stitchery as the centerpiece, I've finished creating this 36" X 38" wallhanging for Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp's quilt auction in July. It was a figure-it-out-as-you-go sort of thing. Scrappy, to use up small pieces of neutrals and greens... and I barely made a dent in my stash.

It seems there's always another quilt top awaiting quilting.

I can't keep up with myself!

With the Riverside stitchery (above) complete, I wanted another project handy to pick up and work on whenever I have a spare moment. Cheryl's cute Josephine Jellyfish, the first block of a free BOM, is just the right size - not too overwhelming to get started with.

Josephine looks a little rippled. Not because she's Under the Sea - though she is! - but because I un-hooped her for this photo. I pencil-colored this piece before stitching. Now, for the first time, I'm using yummy Cosmo embroidery threads. It's as wonderful as everyone claims. So smooth - almost tangle-free - and with a sheen that make it hard to believe it's 100 percent cotton, but it is. This floss is simply a pleasure to stitch with.

The purging, sorting and organizing of last week came to a stop as we've dealt with getting the stuff out of the house. Twenty boxes and bags have been taken away, donated to three different organizations. Not done yet. Just like winter... interminable.

Friday Flaunt - Third Ten in '10 Finished

Yippie yi-yo-ki-yay!

Today I completed baby "Eric's" quilt. It's 48" X 48", comprised of disappearing nine patch blocks, a cowboy themed focus fabric, and two embroidered blocks. "Yippie yi-yo-ki-yay" still needs a label, but that has to wait for Eric's birth - when his real name will be revealed! - and I can include his birth date, weight, and length.

A unique aspect of this quilt is the binding. I followed instructions from a 2005 issue of Love of Quilting to make "caterpillar" binding. It's made with a loosely woven fabric, like homespun, that has the same color on both sides. Thanks to my friend, Michelle, who has a stash as good as a fabric store, the perfect royal blue and yellow plaid fabric now edges this quilt.
This binding was a bit tricky to sew, but I like it because it's different. If you'd like to try it for yourself, I'll be posting a tutorial soon.
I've also completed "greenwork" on this 12-1/2" X 12-1/2" (unfinished) stitchery that will become the center of a wallhanging I'll donate to this year's annual Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp (Story City, Iowa) quilt auction. Here's the link to pictures from the 2009 auction.

This pattern came from Wellington House Designs, one of the North Woods Memories blocks.

This week I also managed a little machine quilting every day. I've been quilting this "Plume" design, by Marilyn Badger.

Plumes are all over this string-pieced quilt I sewed and pin-basted a year ago!

It's a Bonnie Hunter pattern from www.Quiltville.com.

I'm pleased with the allover design, but it takes a long time to machine quilt 64" X 80". So far, I've filled and emptied four bobbins of #50-weight Aurifil.

It's been a good week. No more snow has fallen! And sweet, retired hubby washed my VW Bug for me. It doesn't take a whole lot to make me happy.

Hope you're having fun with quilty things.

Friday Flaunt - First Ten in '10 Finished!

When I selected projects to include in my Ten in '10 list, I tried to be reasonable, looking ahead to life's possibilities during the upcoming 12 months. It caused me to select a few projects that were relatively do-able, and several that are more intensely demanding.

From the "do-able" side, I'm pleased to share my first completed project! It's grandson Tay's 32" X 32" Noah's Ark wall hanging. What a wonderful learning experience it was! Not only is it the first piece of stitchery I've completed in years (much of it sewn while in Sydney), but it's my first stitchery ever that has been colored with pencils. It was a delight to make and I'm looking forward to seeing it hung in his bedroom.

There was a bit of learning curve free-motion machine quilting it. I knew to straight stitch along the sashings to secure the layers, but it was a difficult to know where to quilt the rest of it. I settled for giving the animals a bit of "ground" to walk upon, and quilted close to some of the backstitches around the ark and animals on-board. You might also see where I added quilted ocean waves, and a few extra clouds in the sky.

Ever aware that I won't be around forever, I add a label to all of my quilted pieces. If you're wondering... names have been blurred "to protect the innocent."

Another big effort this week was playing catch-up on the "Season of Grace" Christmas stocking BOM hosted by author Emilie Richards and quilter Pat Sloan.

Since I was out of the country for five weeks last fall, and then traveled to Florida for nearly three weeks, it was long past time to complete November, December, and January BOMs. If you recall, I'm making two identical stockings for each month, swapping one of them with my friend Mary.

November: Gingerbread Girl

Mary will make the gingerbread boy.

December: Selvage Stocking

Mary's stockings will be green selvages.

January: Going Dotty

I'm pumped with accomplishment! Now I've begun a donation quilt. This is one I will stitch and make into a quilted wall hanging to be auctioned in July at Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp's (Story City, Iowa) annual quilt auction. It's the camp's largest fundraiser that annually raises around $50,000 for the camp.

This design is called "Northwood Memories" and comes from Wellington House Designs in Minnesota. The original pattern makes into a 7" X 9" block, but a friend enlarged it to about 10" X 12" so I can use it for the center medallion of my wall quilt. I'm planning to stitch it with DMC #8 perle cotton.
All this on top of spending many hours email-interviewing and working to write an article for the June/July issue of Quilters Newsletter magazine. It's such a blessing to write about something I love, and know a little about. In this instance, the article is about Australian stitcheries, and Australians and an American who stitch them. Hopefully it will give non-bloggers a look into the world of possibilities with stitchery.

I guess that being housebound - due to this week's ice storm - does have its benefits, but those are wearing thin! We're ready for some thawing around here!