Little Snowy Blue Church...

Don finished this gorgeous Mirabillia design, and we matted it to look like a snow globe...It is stitched in fun fibers and uses lots of beads and even a few specialty stitches.

Good job Don!

Don was kind enough to write up some information about this design and working with the fibers and beads. He e-mailed me his thoughts and I will post them here for you to read:

Jamie and I talked a while back about doing two or three paragraph reviews on newly released designs. She thought it was a great idea and here is the first. If you think this was of some value please tell Jamie

I recently finished the "Little Snowy Blue Church" by Nora Corbett. j This is the first in the "snow globe" series that she has just released. While I'm not a huge fan of her flower fairies and other releases this immediately appealed to me. I was attracted by the photo on the front but when I saw the colors of thread and beads she used I was hooked. A word of caution is in order though. It you don't like stitching with Kreinik threads and glass beads don't even start this one. While the pattern only uses three colors of DMC thread, it has four colors of Kreinik #4 braid and seven colors of beads including some size six and size eight. It also calls for Rainbow Gallery's Artic Rays. This was a bit more challenging to work with. Before attempting I recommend lots of patience, a large needle, short lengths, a stiff drink and for non drinkers reconsider your tea total ism! Another consideration is the fabric color. When we first thought about this, Betsy and I picked out a fairly light blue fabric that looked beautiful until I started to stitch. The Kreinik and most of the DMC looked fine but the DMC white didn't show up on the light blue fabric. I got a piece of the fabric Nora recommends (ocean Kiss), started again and it was a whole different story. When you pick out fabric consider the contrast between the threads and cloth especially the DMC white. Ocean Kiss is a medium blue to turquoise color.

A few quick reminders about using Kreinik braids, use short lengths, don't use good scissors (check out the less expensive brands that the Craft Center carries), and go slowly, let the braid move as it wants. As you pull, just guide it into place. Next, some thought about stitching with beads. I usually do all my beads last. The reason being is that the thread has a tendency to tangle and wrap itself around anything, and beads just make thinks worse. In this case, I did them as I went. There are so many and in some cases rows of beads separate rows of stitches and I was afraid of getting the piece all done and forgetting a row of something. So I would do a section and go back and do the beads. The instruction suggest using a matching thread color to the bead-I prefer using the YLI filament. In the case of this design it works really well because when using the YLI, changing threads with different bead colors isn't necessary just change beads and stitch away. Whatever your preference give careful thought to stitching the beads as you go.

Some last thoughts. The completed piece is beautiful and I'm really excited about the rest of the series. It was so much fun that I'm considering doing it again. Weird I know but that's me. If i were to do it again I would probably change the colors of the DMC 413 to 924 floss. These are used as "windows and doors" of the church. Instead of leaving them in dark blues I would change the colors to red, blues and other bright colors simulating stained glass windows and doors. The Kreinik and beads make it sparkle and was just fun to stitch. The stitching goes fast enough that it would make a nice gift for someone, including yourself.

Don

Yeah!!!!

It is finally finished! It seemed like everything was working against me with this one.

Didn't it turn out beautiful!

I am even proud of the over one....even though I broke a linen thread while unpicking and had to weave in a new one. Pretty tricky....

I will show you again as soon as it is framed.

When the weather is bad...we stitch all day!

The group gathered for a stitch-in...and we celebrated Easter...
This group has been getting together for a LONG time. They have really bonded!
Pat and Norma used to work together.
Lucas worked on a paper project. He covered a box and put his cute stitchery on the top.
It is a Lizzie Kate design stitched on perforated paper.
This is the finished box. So Cute!
This is Karen's White Christmas piece that we are stitching together.
Beth is working on a Long Dog design.
Norma is doing a needlepoint.
Katie is working on a Lavender and Lace piece Isabella's Garden.

She is our University of Utah girl..

My mom is crocheting and knitting.
This is Wendy's Wise Men by Glendon Place. Finally, the wise men are done, and now she is on to the background.
Pat is just starting Ghoul School by Glendon Place.
Thought you might like to see what everyone is working on. It is fun to see the works in progress.

Celebrating a birthday...

Karen is celebrating a birthday today, and we were lucky enough to celebrate with her! There was a large group of us....The Wednesday bunch....

We had lots of treats...

And always lots of love to go around...

Happy Birthday Karen!

Beautiful finished pieces...

The best part about framing is that you get to see so many finished pieces. I have been working like crazy to get things all caught up...and I wanted to share a couple of the finished pieces to you.

This is the new Spring Alphabet by Lizzie Kate. Betsy stitched this, and will have it as a model here at the shop. you will have to come in and see it in person. The colors are so cheerful!

Pat Burrows stitched this one called Gem Show III. She changed the colors to go with the decor in her house and we think it is just beautiful!!!!!!!!!!

I will post a few more as I finish them...

Thank you...

Well...I hadn't said anything about it, but I have gotten such wonderful support that I want to say a big "Thank You" to everyone.

My wonderful, fit, healthy husband gave us a great scare a couple of weeks ago. He has a bit of a heart attack! And this was while exercising....

So many customers and friends have been so supportive that I thought I would let the cat out of the bag.

That is why you haven't had many posts, I have been a bit busy.

He is doing great though. He was in the hospital for a few days. Had a little surgical procedure and we had one more sleepless night in the ER when his blood pressure decided to freak. His body isn't used to taking any med, and they have him on a boat load.

Thank you to everyone who has been so understanding of my foggy brain. Everything at the shop is running along smoothly and on schedule now.

You are all wonderful and I don't know what I would do without the wonderful support of my friends.........

This is my week...

These are the frame supplies for my week...

I am sorry to say that I am running a little behind, and will be working my fingers off getting to every piece. Thank you for thinking of us in your finishing, we love seeing the finished product. I will be getting these done right away...

Stitch along week ?

I have lost track of what week I should be on?! It has been a crazy time for me right now, and my stitching is not getting done....

I am finished with the white! Now on to some color. I am really excited.

As you can tell, Karen and I changed the wording from "blanc" at the bottom to "joyeux". We just liked that better and in doing so, we had to leave off the snowflake in the corner. But I think it looks really great this way.

I will post again as I add the color. How is yours coming along?

Vintage black

Well, I was gone for a few days...and when I returned I was so excited to see new "Pretty Little Things"! These girls are wonderful. Our case is always changing....and selling as quick as they come in!

We have a great selection right now.

Anything is Possible

"Anything is Possible" by Blue Ribbon Designs

Norma stitched this and we framed it for her this week.

The color is so fresh! The picture on the graph is done in red on a dark background. That was definitely not Norma. This fits her perfectly. It is amazing what a color change can do!