Stitching Friends

I took off for Columbus, Ohio. Nikki Loans (middle) was on an airplane for 27 hours from Cape Town, South Africa, and we met Tina Bush and stayed with her for the week. Nikki wanted to see snow, and she got a LOT of her wish.

While here, we had the pleasure and honor of seeing Nora Corbett, the designer of Mirabilia and the Nora Corbett pixies, etc. We loved having brunch with her one afternoon followed by some shipping. Today, we enjoyed going to see her again.  Not only did we have the privilege of seeing her studio, but we got to spend more time with her having drinks and supper. Nora is absolutely a doll, and we loved spending time getting to know her. It's official, we love her as much as we love her art.

Tina drove Nikki and me to Michigan where we got to see the talented Stephanie Bishop, and she was awesome enough to let us stay with her.  During our trip to the frozen tundra, we were able to see some incredible LNS's as well as Stephanie working her magic on some fabric.

 Did I mention - Frozen Tundra?

 This is The Rocking Horse.  What an amazing store!

 Lori Curtis, Stephanie Bishop, Tina Bush, Nikki Loans and me

 Nothing like a GTG

 The amazing Amy Abler

This is a piece of fabric that is now known as Frozen Freckles because of Stephanie's daughter, Izzy.  

What a great way to spend some time away! My next trip will be for the Chicago GTG, and I will see some of these great ladies again.  We will keep Nikki in our hearts.  If you ever have the opportunity to meet with her - I highly suggest it.

Finish!!!

I am seriously doing a happy dance!!  I finally finished The Gadsden Flag.  I had meant for this one to be a gift at Christmas, but I simply ran out of time.  So, I gave the other one as the friend's gift and now this one is being given to the hubby for his birthday next month.  Whew!!!  

Again, I used 32ct Jobelan in Sunflower from Hand Dyed by Stephanie for the fabric.  It is completely perfect for this design.  The pattern is from Stoney Creek.

I will iron it again tomorrow before taking it for framing.  The last  little bit of unevenness should be removed when it's pinned and in the frame.  

A Non-stitchy update

Holy moly! It's been a long time since I posted anything here!!  Well, our Christmas was full of friends and family as well as an anniversary celebration, so we were very busy in this house.  I did not get any (yes, that's right - zip, none, nada, null) stitching done over my Break.  I am really not sure how that happened.  I seriously just wanted to sit and stitch on my days off.  However, Life had other plans for me. 

I did, however, manage to get a LOT of stash!! I know, I know.  I have enough stash for two lifetimes, but it is all so pretty!!  I have to share with you!

Up first is the Frosty Forest SAL from Country Cottage Needleworks.  I debated over this one, but I really love how it's evolving, so I bought the patterns:

 Next is the one set of cards from Nora that I absolutely HAD to have:

I keep waiting for when the cards are released with Sabrina.  I will purchase many of those since my love of everything Hepburn knows no bounds.  

Then, there is all of the fabby that I purchased.  Seriously, I now have so much fabric that I have to find another way to store it. I can't help myself.  Stephanie's fabrics are amazing.  I am part of her Fabric of the Month Club, and I purchased during her sale as well.

 Bewitched

 Celtic Christmas

 Chocolate Milk

 Lunar Eclipse

 Nantucket Blue

 Pixie Kiss

Winter Solstice

The fabrics I ordered were mostly 32 ct Jobelan, but I also have a couple 28 ct.  I added some Opals to my stash as well of some older colors.  Now, I really need to get stitching so I can use these gorgeous pieces!!

I received a message from South Africa today.  Nikki has started my Round Robin, so she sent me these teasers:

Ohhhhh!!! It's so pretty!!  I believe that it's Scent of Old Roses.  She hasn't confirmed it yet, but I'm so excited to see it taking shape.

A Christmas Finish

I completed a gift card holder/ornament for my step-son, Brian. Since he isn't joining us for Christmas this year, I wanted his Gift Card to arrive in style.

The holder an pattern are from Stoney Creek from their Winter 2013 magazine.

The pattern called for DMC colors and Mill Hill 03049 beads.

Once completed, I glued the back pieces and created the pouch.

Update on a Round Robin

The Round Robin that I worked on for a friend, is now leaving South Africa.  Prior to me, Evening Primrose was stitched in the bottom, I stitched Waterlily to the left, and now Winter Faerie with a more Spring coloring is included.  None of us can wait to see what will be added next.

Some purchases and a WIP

I'll start with my WIP.  I am making another Gadsden Flag, and I'm really hoping to have it ready in time to be a Christmas present.  Why do I always procrastinate??  I know what I want to make people for Christmas gifts, but I put it off and then stress myself out at the holidays.  Well, this one has a different fabric than the other, so it's a darker yellow.

I also made a rather large purchase from Gina Figueroa - her FOBS and needle minders are gorgeous!  I could not help myself especially since I have the new Gingher's in Sharon.  She made the white flower one specifically for it after seeing a picture.  

Well, now I have one more FOB than scissors, so I just MUST find a new pair of scissors that I like to house it.  The Audrey one is definitely going on the Ella Ginghers!!  Such a beautiful match!  I couldn't resist The Grinch! I have no idea what I will do with him. The needle minders are fun, and I really love having them. 

The Needle Minder I purchased from an Etsy store is actually spoiling me, however. It was custom made out of clay, and there is a notch in the middle for the needle.  I have not lost it at all since using it!!  

I am now equipped to have numerous WIPs on the scroll rods and enough needle minders to keep them on each WIP and not have to transfer them around.  Yay!

It's Home!!

My Song of the Seasons returned home yesterday.  I had sent it to Jill Rensel for framing, and she and her staff once again amazed me with their work!!

It arrived packaged amazingly well.  Everything was bubble-wrapped, cardboard everywhere and then wrapped again.  One day, I will not be so excited for a shipment from her and I will photograph how well everything is put together for shipping.

I had asked Jill for something "fatigued" that would give the piece a type of instant vintage look.  I think she found the perfect frame for it!

I have hung it in the living room so that it is visible to anyone allowed in the home.  I love this project, and I am so glad that I was able to complete it and send it out for Jill to frame.

On a side note - the hubby and I learned a valuable lesson.  Language acquisition is not only important but vital.  We have shared our limited knowledge of our family's native German, but I failed to allow my girls to READ in the language.  So, the middle daughter had a fit when she was reading that the Koehler Family should "DIE".  "Why do you want our family to die?!?!"  She could NOT understand why I was laughing so hard.  I had to explain the language again and then she calmed down.