2019 Last Slow Sunday Stitching

Today I am joining others at Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching for the last 2019 Slow Sunday Stitching party.  With the hustle and bustle of Christmas over, I can relax a bit more and pick up one of many UFOs 🙄.  This past week, I've been motivated to do more work on the Paris round as they are called in the needlepoint world.  Perhaps I shall complete the Arc de Triomphe.

Last week I spoke of showing close photos of the various Santa needlepoint stitches.  Admittedly, this is putting your handwork under a microscope for the whole world to view ~ scary. Here goes.  I've added the common stitch names which may also have other names....uh.....just to confuse us 😉.

CLICK HERE for youtube video (2:11) of turkey work vertical lock stitch.

 CLICK HERE for youtube video (32 seconds) of Long Tailed French Knot

Put it all together with a variety fancy fibers 

and Santa is complete 🤗

Stitched on a handpainted canvas designed by Strictly Christmas Needlepoint Designs

Wishing all blogger buddies a Happy, Blessed 2020!

Jill

Santa's Finish

The needlepoint Santa arrived recently arrived home from the needlepoint finisher. This is the perfect week to introduce him in his completed form.  Some may remember that he was started this past summer.  A few stitches in place.

More progress was made mid-summer as Santa traveled on a mini-vacation.

Here he is finished and merrily resting on the mantle. Hopefully, later (after Christmas) I'll be able to take a photo with brighter lighting to better show stitching detail and my favorite sections.

Last week, Kathy of Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching, asked her followers if they had a favorite hand stitched project that they enjoyed each year.  Although I have several favorites, this will be a newer favorite!

While joining others this Slow Sunday Stitching, I have a relaxing, no-thinking, hand project to work on during breaks from last-minute Christmas preparations.  I'll be crocheting an edge around a fleece blanket for a charity project.  

May you all have a blessed Christmas!

Jill

Stitching for Christmas

Kathy of the popular Slow Sunday Stitching, a weekly hand stitching blog, inquired today if stitchers were working on gifts. Coincidentally, I cut a wool felt mitten and it is ready to be appliqued and given as an ornament and will double duty as a gift card holder. I was going to make more, yet hand stitching time is short. ☹️

 Many years ago, I cross stitched a Christmas piece which I'd like to share. It comes out of storage every year.  When it was completed, I had it framed in its applicable frame which turned out to be a wise decision. I don't think I have the pattern anymore, and the cute little brick and mortar store has long since closed. It has little jingle bells, wood buttons and ribbon which give it dimension. I enjoy it.

During the past few weeks a bit of needlepoint has been accomplished. The Eiffel Tower is done. 

Until next time,

Jill

P is for Paris

Stitching continues on the Paris needlepoint travel round.  Since I last posted, the background is completely stitched.  I'm able to start on the letters which is going quickly as I already completed the 'P' before I was able to post in time for Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching. Lol!  Looking forward to working with the bling fibers hopefully without my furry supervisor.

Although I have not posted for a few weeks, I've done some fun quilt-related activities.  Three weeks ago, I attended an excellent quilt & fiber show held in Port Huron, Michigan.  It was a pleasure to see lots of exquisite handwork. The ribbons themselves were a work of art.

This was a crazy quilt embroidered by hand representing each month of the calendar. Made by Carolyn Knaggs

 These hand stitched and hand quilted hexies (all 6,798) were stitched by Cheryl Baker and quilted by Lovina Miller. Did I mention the hexies measure 3/4".  Oh my!

Last weekend I was at a quilt retreat in Sebewaing, Michigan which is in the Thumb of the state's mitten. 😊

The hostesses hang up quilts for ambiance.  This was one of my favorites as it was made of antique scraps and created an almost modern design.

My retreat project was machine applique from a Nancy Rink design kit. This is the block laid out, not yet appliqued.

Please remember to check out Kathy's Slow Stitching linky party. Thank you for visiting. 

Jill

Paris & Downton

Today I continue to work on my latest needlepoint project, a travel round (hanging ornament), with a Paris theme while I join Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitchers.  I was hoping to have the background completed, but alas I was sidetracked by fun stuff!

There was an outing to the local library for a special presentation regarding fashion during the era of the Downton Abbey series.

www.fashionandtheautomobile.com

The show was wonderful. Outfits were modeled and on display. I'm going to highlight two favorites as they involve lots of hand work. A walking suit and a flapper dress from the 1920s. 

Walking Suite with Venice Lace

Authentic Flapper Dress made with Glass Beads ~ Exquisite!

The walking suit's inset lace was mentioned as being Venice. Due to the all the hand sewn glass beads on the flapper-era dress, its weight is 5 pounds. It is being best preserved by no longer being worn/nor modeled due to the weight and movement adds extra stress to the original threads and fabric.

If any of Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitchers are Downton fans and have not yet seen the movie, I highly recommend. In closing I'll share a small bouquet of end-of-season flowers from the garden.

Until next time,

Jill

Slow Stitching

Hand stitching a little bit each day on the Paris ornament. Currently, I'm filling in the background and then the graphics can be stitched with fancy fibers.  This project accompanied me on a trip out west while we toured the Canadian Rockies. There were lofty goals of stitching during relaxing moments. Honestly, there was not much stitching as we were on the go. I tried to stitch on the plane, but the lighting was not conducive nor was my concentration. Lol.

My oh my, Canadian readers, you have a real treasure with those spectacular mountains, rivers, and lakes. We visited Banff and Jasper National Parks and a quick drive through Yoho.  We also visited an American national park, Glacier National Park in Montana.

Cascade Gardens Banff National Park

Bow River in Banff National Park

Lake Louise on a rainy day

Johnston Canyon Falls in Banff National Park

Glacier National Park Montana

Some quilt-related accomplishments were made. I visited two popular and well-stocked quilt stores.  Both shops at one time or another have been a Top Ten quilt store per Quilt Sampler. The first one was The Sugar Pine Co. in Canmore, AB.  The second was Bear Paw Quilting in Coeur d'Alene, MT. It was luck and a treat to have been in those areas when the shops were open. Admittedly, I was overwhelmed and bought only a few fat quarters at each store.

When on is on vacation, one must expect the unexpected. This is a photo of one of our 'roadblocks' after a long and tiring day on the road. Lol.

Today I'm happy to be 'home sweet home' slow stitching with Kathy and friends at Slow Sunday Stitching. Thanks for viewing some of our vacation photos!

Jill

New Project

Now that Santa stitching is finished, I was considering what type of hand needlework that I could do next as I'm always motivated by Kathy who hosts Slow Sunday Stitching faithfully each week.  Like many others I already have supplies, patterns and kits for all kinds of needle and thread projects.  With that being said, this past week when I dropped off Santa at The Wool and Floss, I walked out with yet another new needlepoint canvas.  Lol!

As we are preparing for a trip to the Canadian Rockies, stitching the background should be a relatively mindless thing to work on while waiting at the airport, in the air and wherever.  Sorry not going to Paris despite the project I picked. Lol!

In regards to quilting and traveling, perhaps there will be time for a quick visit to a popular quilt store in the town of Canmore in Alberta, The Sugar Pine Company which was awarded one of the top ten quilt stores in North America. Has anyone visited that shop?

Until next time,

Jill

Santa's Finish

Santa is all stitched and ready to go to the finisher. Yay! It's been a two-month project. When he returns all mounted and edged in decorative cording, I shall post another photo. This Santa is just one of a line of Squatty Santas designed by Strictly Christmas.

It was a small project and to best display his size, I've placed a pen nearby.

When needlepointing (a word?), it is recommended to do the fussy stitches at the end; i.e., fuzzy fibers, beading and other fancy fibers until the end. To protect Santa's angora beard, I basted a muslin scrap over finished beard to avoid possible, unnecessary soiling while stitching his beaded heart.

The motivation and support that I receive from Kathy's Slow Stitching Sunday weekly posts and many participants has been immeasurable which has inspired me to a finish.  :-)  This week's slow Sunday Stitching will involve something less intense such as crocheting an edge on a fleece blanket for my church's charity closet.

In closing, here are a few more photos from the 2019 AQS Grand Rapids Quilt Show of which in my humble opinion should have been awarded a ribbon or at least honorable mention:

Isn't that a great name for a quilt.

 Someone thought of the box on this Edyta Sitar pattern by using a light purple background. Gorgeous!

May all Canadian and fellow American Slow Stitchers enjoy this Labor Day Weekend!

Jill

P.S. As I have an August finish, I will also be linking to the Crafter Quilter which is an informative blog hosted by Julie Cefalu. Thanks for the tip, Kathi of Designs Originals by KC.  :-)

Santa’s Beard & Quilt Show

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This past week was a busy one so Santa moved slowly through the home stretch. A visit was needed at the local needlepoint shop for advice on stitching his beard.  These are long french knots made with angora fiber. Half-way finished!

Saturday, I took a long drive (175 miles) to view the Grand Rapids AQS Quilt Show.  I enjoy their shows,  however, there seemed to be less quilts entered and on display than previous years which was disappointing discouraging.  Below is an itsy-bitsy show sampling.

Summer beach house with clever accessories.
A shame this quilt did not receive a ribbon nor honorable mention.

Wall hanging

I'd love to have this wall hanging in my sewing room.

Well-deserved ribbon.

Hand Stippling ~ exquisite!

This Sunday I shall slow down, relax from a busy week and stitch with others at Kathy's Slow Stitching Sunday.

Jill