Rose of Sharon Update

So this project seems to be ticking right along.   I did have to change her hair as she was originally supposed to be blonde, however, the yellow hair combined with the yellow roses really didn't stand out, so I changed her to a brunette.

The dress is looking beautiful so far.  I think the periwinkle colors are going to look magnificent, and once I'm all done, I will post the conversion colors. I'm really happy with the conversion so far.

I am fighting the beginning stages of a cold/flu, whatever it is. I feel prickly and very, very run down.
But if I am going to get sick, let it be now, as I have holidays in less than a month and I want this to have run its course by then.

In any case, dear kindred stitchers, Happy Holidays to you all, whatever you may celebrate, and may you be surrounded by family and friends, (and a present, or two).

~Rai Rai

A Cross-Stitch Meme that I Couldn't Resist.

I've seen this on a few blogs now, and thought it would be fun to add my own.

 1)      Which fabric do you most prefer?
           Oddly enough, I prefer Lugana.  Call me crazy. It's usually most people's last preference.  

2)      What is your favorite fabric count?
          Not so fond of the 14 count.  

3)      What colour fabric do you most enjoy stitching on? 
          Neutrals and antique white.

4)      What is your favorite fibre?
          Silk

5)      How many of the 450 DMC Colours do you own? 
         All of them, plus the newest colors.  

6)      Of your last five projects—how many used DMC/Anchor as the main floss?
          All of them.  

7)      Of the last five projects, if you didn’t use DMC/Anchor—what did you use? 
         An overdye of some sort.

8)      What needles do you prefer?
          26 Bohin. I only use Bohin's.  Once you try them, you will not go back!

9)      What is the UGLIEST design you’ve encountered?
          Although I don't have a link, I once came across a cross-stitch of an atomic explosion. Why, good lord, why?  It was super detailed too, like a Heaven and Earth design.

10)   What is the most BEAUTIFUL design you’ve encountered?
         Too numerous to count.  But I likely stumbled across it at Heaven and Earth designs.  

11)   Who is your favourite designer?
         Probably Mirabilia or Lavender and Lace..  I've done many of their patterns. I also quite like Teresa Wentzler.

12)   Least favourite designer?
       Probably Joan Elliott.  I like some of her work, but I find much of it to be a bit blocky.


13)  Will you/would you support a designer whose personal beliefs offended/angered you?     
       It really depended on what the belief was.  I cannot stand racism or elitism of any kind.  So if they were banging off about that, or against gay rights, which I see as more as human rights, then I might choose not to support them.  But otherwise, viva free speech.

14)   Do you have a lamp especially made for needleworkers/crafters?  
        I have a giant magnifier with LED lights in the bottom.   Love, love, love it!  If I wasn't all ready married, I would likely marry that light! That is how much I love it.

15 )  What brand of stitching lamp do you have/prefer?
        I have an Ikea special that I picked up on sale.  Works like a charm and I can move it so the light is right over my work.

16 )  What kind of environment best suits you when you are stitching?
         It's like an evening ritual.   The couch, with the feet up, in front of the TV, with a documentary  on, so I can listen to it and not really watch.   Bliss!

17)   Have you stitched any design more than once?
       Just once. I stitched this hideous little mime mask.  I think I had no other patterns, or something, because it was pretty hideous.

18)   Favourite design you have stitched and finished?
       For me, the last design is always my favorite.  So it would be the Treasure Dragon Christmas Stocking from Myles Pinkney.

19)   Least favourite design you’ve stitched and finished?
       A baby afghan. It gave me grief.  Serious grief.  Others on my friends list are doing the same pattern and enjoying it.  I think they are insane.  Nothing personal.

20)   Last, but not least, what’s your longest running WIP?
        Never had a WIP.  But I think the next project might be one. I have a 30 page HaED design waiting in the wings, and I may have to do a few projects in between, because 30 pages is mad.  And yes, I think I am insane.  Nothing personal.

~Rai Rai

An Old Project FINALLY Finished

This stocking is for my dear friend, Jude.   I had finished it a year ago August, and then given it to a lady who had offered to sew it.  Well, schedule/health/family issues came into play and a year later it still hadn't been sewn, so with much insistence and reminding on my part, I finally got it back today.

I whisked it off to my friend, Arwen's (she is the one I had made the Yule Fairy for) and she managed it sew it together in about 45 minutes. 

I don't know about you, but when I finish a project, I want to complete it immediately. I hate having projects sitting around, nearly finished, but just not quite.  It, to me, feels like an itch I just can't reach and it sits festering in the back of my mind.

But I have it back and it is done!  Done, I tell you, DONE!

So tomorrow two stockings go in the mail!  

I am feeling so darn accomplished, I'm going to celebrate with a glass of wine!

~Rai Rai

For Your Viewing Pleasure: The Completed Treasure Dragon Stocking

Ta Da!!!

Sewn beautifully by Paige!   I originally was planning on choosing a deep red silk material, however when I compared fabrics side by side, the burnt orange really looked fantastic. And after canvassing complete strangers at the fabric store, I'm happy to say, 9 out of 10 agreed.

I will be taking her to show off at my Stitch'n'Bitch this Sunday, (hopefully everybody comes) and then first thing Monday, this will be packed up and mailed.

Hopefully little Heinrik Roar likes his little dragon, and pulls many, many gifts out of it.

~Rai Rai

Rose of Sharon - Arbor and Flowers

This project is coming along nicely.  I decided to change the pink flowers to yellow. So far I'm delightfully over the moon with my changes.  I can't wait to start the dress and see how the colors look.

I find the vine and flowers to be arduously slow, and this is coming from someone who has just finished a Heaven and Earth design.  I think that once I get to the lady, then it will be a quick ride to the end, but man, oh man, it seems to be taking me forever to get the arbor done.

~Rai Rai

PS - Dragon stocking has been assembled and I pick it up tomorrow.  Pictures to follow!