December 13, 2009

Stop and Stitch the Roses

I had an unsuccessful Christmas shopping trip yesterday where I bought nothing more than stocking stuffers (World Imports). I stopped at Joanne's to buy fabric to back a Christmas pillow, but there were 15 or so people in front of me at the cutting table, so I put the bolt back and...er...bolted. I don't enjoy Joanne's anyway, so it will force me on my vacation to go to Chantilly or 7 Corners and shop at G Street Fabrics. If you sew or quilt and live in or visit NoVa/Maryland, a stop at G Street is a must, although Exquisite Fabrics in Georgetown truly measures up to their name as well, so maybe I'll take a lunch hour or two or three and go there. Figuring my problem was that the big-box stores aren't what I'm looking for, I headed into the little city of Fred to shop in the little independent stores. I dithered over a live tree, pining for the 10-foot tree standing alone on the lot at Roxbury. Do-able with my 20 foot ceilings, but not in my average size sedan. So I grabbed a couple of huge amaryllis bulbs and called it a day. I looked at Christmas napkins and tablecloths and couldn't decide. I looked at little handmade bears and decided I was the only one I knew who needed a handmade bear, so I gave that a miss (edited to add: if I had time, bear-making (well, really, rabbit-making) and quilting and maybe an expansion of my knitting skills would be craft numbers 2, 3 and 4). I stood around the used book shop and looked at appealing and originally expensive cookbooks, now $10-15 apiece. Should you ever give a used book, however nice? Probably not. I thought of buying one for myself, since I much prefer to read about cooking than do it. So it was with a little sigh of both impatience and anticipation that I went to the LNS and my trip became more successful

I had enjoyed the Kreink adventures and decided I needed more sparkle and to stitch some ornaments. Or maybe just AN ornament. I have nearly finished "July," and I contemplated making the little red crab blue for the Maryland blue crab that we eat in the summer.

A little red crab in this area is a little cooked crab. I decided to sparkle him up a bit instead of turn him blue/green, so I bought some colorful (red, pink, gold, blue variegated) Kreinik blending filament for him. I think he turned out well.

I've started a snowflake from the pattern I received--Papillon Creations. PC gives you not only a beautifully charted main project but a bunch of little side projects as well. I used the snowflake from the front of the pin tuffet pattern, and if I have time, I might stitch a second one from the tuffet back. I'm using NPI 991BB (white) plus a strand of clear/white Kreinik blending filament. I'm using 40 ct Lakeside in blue something-or-other.

Here's one bit of stash that I bought. This is by Marie Driskill of Blackberry Lane Designs, and it's called "Rose Marie." This is the same designer who created the tiny squirrel project that I haven't completed since I need to do a bit of frogging. Like "Squirrel," this pattern calls for tons of DMC colors and is stitched over one on 40 count. I won't be doing over 1 on 40 count, but I may do over 2 on 45 count. I'd love to do it in time for a Christmas ornament, but I suspect I won't be able to.

I've been steadily cleaning and 1-800-Got-Junk came today to haul away some stuff we didn't need, so I'm making progress at home, even if I haven't decorated. I've made the rounds of your blogs and I'm in awe of your talents as designers, stitchers, sew-ers and decorators. Most inspiring!

Pink wants me to read "The Night Before Christmas," and tell the story about how he came to live here at Christmas two years ago.

Happy week ahead--and remember to stop and stitch the roses!

23 comments:

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

It looks more like Pink wants to chew "The Night Before Christmas"!

Melissa said...

Glenna, sometimes Christmas shopping can put you off Christmas altogether! I had a good laugh over for PS adventures - stitching it during almost-winter, and with sparkly threads too! It's good to find your fun with stitching!

Catherine said...

Love your stitchy pictures! The crab looks awesome!

Theresa said...

I can't help but laugh when I read you bolted when there were a long line before you at Joann's. My DH is the same way. He does not have patients to wait in the line.
Love your stichings~ They are super cute!!

RG said...

A cooked crab! Yummmmmmmmmmmmm... almost looks to be a dungeness!!!

Pink is lucky - so are we to know Pink ... but. isn't that Pink (or maybe the ghost of Pink) in the middle upper window of that neato old house????

The spirit of Christmas is slow coming here too ... decisions, decisions....

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

Lovely stitching and love that Mr. Pink as always.

aprilmecheelesdulllife said...

I love all the sparkly threads. Looks great. I have had the same experience at Hancock Fabrics. Seems like everyone wants fabric cut at the same time and only one person to do the cutting in the store. I have left to...

Giovanna said...

Your PS looks gorgeous - and I love that little design you bought!

mainely stitching said...

Has it really been two years already that Pink came to you? Good heavens, the time flies!

Siobhán said...

Love the PS and the ornament, Glenna! Great job. Sorry to hear that the shopping trip was a bust. I haven't bothered to stop at JoAnns the last few times I've been home... it's in a grungy part of town and the clerks are usually grumpy.

Cute bunny pic! :)

Margaret said...

I hate unsuccessful shopping trips, don't you? Ugh! I love your July finish -- so pretty! And you're really into those tiny over one pieces, aren't you? I think over 2 on 45ct is the voice of sanity! :D I'd love to hear the story of how Pink came to your house -- I haven't heard that story yet!

Danielle said...

July looks so great! Great choice on the crab. He looks fab! I just love Prairie Schooler patterns.

The Scarlett House said...

The house in your header makes my heart sing! I love it when you show the cool old houses. I can relate to your JoAnn story. I had to stand in line forever to buy backing for a blankie on Friday. Love the PS, makes me want a slice of watermelon.

Kristen said...

Love that muzzlepouche action there, Pink. ;)

Dona said...

Your July PS is wonderful. So cheerful-I love the colors and the little crab and the compass and the lighthouse ... well all of it really.

Pink is one lucky rabbit!

Unknown said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful shopping day - those are my kinda outings!

Your finished piece is just too cute! And I love your sparkly little crab.

Enjoy your week.

Laurie in Iowa said...

Love the sparkly addition to the little red crab. Are you sure about Pink wanting you to read the story book??? It looks like he may enjoy having a snack of the story book to me. lol

Kreinikgirl said...

Love love love that crab. Good idea!

Jules said...

So sweet that Pink wants to hear that story.

The crab looks great! I myself don't care to stitch with metallics (rather, I am not patient enough to deal with it, lol), but that really gives your work some pizzazz.

Also, where is that brick house located in the picture on your title frame? It's beautiful!

Daffycat said...

Oh, Glenna! I love your July and the sparkly little crab is just the ticket!

I'm sure the buns would love to watch A Christmas Carol with Patrick Stewart too, right???

Marjo said...

Love the stitchy with the sparkley threads. I love the way a little something extra makes such a difference. Happy stitching to you and hi to the bunnies.

Karyn said...

Thanks for visiting my blog and your very sweet comments, I left you a comment back ;)

Your blog is awesome too, and your stitching is beautiful, I am awed!

Glad to meet ya, friend :)

Hugs

Flowers said...

Love your needle painting. It's a great example of creativity and art. Enjoyed your blog very much.