April 26, 2009

Queen Stitch

Tulips. I'm still enjoying this, so I've been stitching along as if my hair is on fire. As Quiltcat pointed out, though, it may be a case of procrastination. Quiltcat, you are so right! I really don't feel like doing my schoolwork at this point. I've taken tomorrow off to whip my final papers into shape. It's hard to concentrate with the weather so nice (it hit 90 degrees yesterday and will again today) and the tasks so dreary. One project for tax class involves, as a part of the assignment, writing a letter to a theoretical client detailing the effect on his taxes if he makes $500,000 and gives his college-age son a bond portfolio with a $20,000 income stream. Perhaps I should tack on my personal opinion about parents who overindulge their children and suggest his theoretical son get a theoretical summer job? No, that's not part of the assignment. I'm also writing a paper for my finance course in which I research a company of my choice and determine whether the stock is worth buying. I'm writing about Sotheby's. Their ticker symbol is "BID." I think people should buy their stock for that alone. In my opinion, it's a strong buy. They made some miscalculations going into the recession, but they've cleaned up their act. And in fact, in the 2 months that I've considered them, their stock has gone from $6 and some change to nearly $10.

Normally I don't enjoy queen stitch (the short row directly beneath the tulips), but in my current procrastination mode, it's almost fun. Scarlet Letter calls it rococo stitch, but that actually has six vertical tacked strands, not four. I borrowed this illustration from a a website called Arts and Designs.

I'm going to need the Arts and Designs site a lot with this sampler. It's called "Among the Cornflowers Sampler," and it's by Norma Flake, Keepsake Stitches. I have seen it on various of your sites for a few years, and I finally bought it. Now that I have received it, I understand why I have only seen the picture of the design and not the results of anyone stitching it. It contains 32 specialty stitches, including queen stitch, which I'll be pretty good at by then, and something called "elongated horizontal cashmere." Among others! It's well in the rear of the sampler line-up, so I'll have plenty of time to contemplate my options. I do love the colors of it though, the house, the rabbits and the sheep.

Satin stitches. I got these embroidered shoes for work, since my soft, flat work shoes that go with black pants are pretty much falling apart. Samplers for the feet.

My peeps say hello and happy spring Sunday! They had some nice greens from the farmers' market yesterday, since it was the market's first day of the season. I bought some plants, since the garden tilling guy is coming Tuesday to dig around in my yard. Then we'll have our own veggies.

15 comments:

Margaret said...

Argh, your homework doesn't sound like much fun at all! I love love love your tulip piece! It's so gorgeous!! And I really like that Cornflower one too, but if it has all those specialty stitches, forget it! lol! Nice shoes -- I love shoes! :D

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

Cute shoes, and I just love seeing all the bunnies hanging out together!

Theresa said...

Great progress on the Tulip piece!!!! And I LOVE your shoes!!!!!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

The tulip piece is looking so beautiful!!! I don't envy you having to do homework and papers and studying! I would not be a happy camper if I had to go back to school. Your bunnies are adorable as ever and your shoes are just too cute!
Have a great week!

Daffycat said...

Wow great post! I hope the homework doesn't trouble you too much!

Darling shoes, they are just lovely!

Awww, everybody is snuggled side by side!

Linda in MA said...

Have to agree with you on the homework assignment. The bunnies look so cute all lined up together. How come you can get your bunnies to do this and I couldn't get the dogs to even sit next to each other? Love the shoes!!!!

RG said...

Good grief .. the bunns almost look like they are on display in the Market! Three warm loaves!

Was that by chance my father with the 500K?

Sandra said...

Great progress on your sampler, and just love your new shoes - amazing!!

Deb said...

I love your tulip piece - queen stitches and all. That has never been one of my favorite stitches. And the other sampler looks wonderful - a lot of specialty stitches, but I bet it's beautiful done. Can't wait to see your progress when you start it!

d. moll, l.ac. said...

You are Queen Stitch. Maybe present a scenario wherein a Summer job is taken......I would. Your rabbits line up so nicely, are they going to put on a show of some sort? And what cool shoes!!

Tanya said...

It is so hard to concentrate on homework when it is nice outside.
Love your tulip projects & shoes.

Brigitte said...

That tulip piece looks awesome. I hope that you managed to finish your homework (which really doesn't sound too exciting at least to me, lol) so that you can continue stitching on it.

Siobhán said...

Eek on the homework. :P YGG on persevering with it, though!

I LOVE your tulip piece! It is so pretty--the colors are great. Your queen stitches look wonderful, too.

Those shoes are adorable! My kids always laugh at me because everytime we go back to the US, I buy a pair of black loafers. Totally boring shoes. I'm going to have to look for some sampler shoes for myself, too. ;)

The Scarlett House said...

I would have bought those shoes, too. I love them. I have the Cornflower house chart, too. I like the design very much, but I never pick it out to do. Maybe if you get started, I'll get inspired.

YowlYY said...

Love your tulips - and all your stitching, but I am afraid the show is stolen by the furries - what a cute bunch of fluff!
You got some lovely shoes there - gave me an idea to make a post about shoes, and maybe I can destash a pair or two, as someone here says I have far too many... snort!