Lots of happenings

Life has been consistently busy for the last two months.
In August I ran a 1 1/2 day class for beaded ball 'Ruby's Treasure" which was successful. Also I completed the first in the year long banner series (an applique set). Did more stitching on Odyssey and have nearly completed the outside stitching, started sewing on the black beads and purchased some suitable bronze beads.
September saw stitching on Odyssey (only have the bottom to finish now as well as the beads). Nearly completed a square on 'Walk on the wild side', and started to finish two needle books. One will be a gift for Christmas and one for Erin I hope.
This month has seen me start the next banner (snowman) in time for Christmas, make a spider ornament for swapping and commence my triffid for creative stitchers.
I have been busy with swap bot over the past couple of months mostly with postcard swaps but I have done a white Christmas decoration and a Halloween decoration. Next on the list is a prayer flag and some more Christmas decorations. I also have done a little bit of zentangle as well as won a prize on zentangle.com.

Creative Stitchers this month saw us printing fabric so hoping that I have some pieces that I can use. I have to make a prayer flag so that will be my starting point. Card making has continued with a night each month and making of several cards each time. I have been making a few more and now trying to use the Project life from Stamping Up. As I am a demonstrator I need to be familiar. If you want to see it go here. You can order it online by entering me as your demonstrator.

On the social front I have been to rugby with mum and dad several times and may go again this weekend as Taranaki have made the semi finals (top of the pile in ITM cup). I went to Wellington with Shellie to see WOW (World of Wearable Art) and Sole Mio. Both great events. Been to see lots of movies and really enjoyed 100 foot journey. Other things still happening are meetings, and more meetings, theatre trust, WI Conference, Durham WI and guild. Still it is good to be busy.

I have been doing a little bit of beading and made a decoration for the Hawera A&P show so now have to get on with the next items. Also Sonia has asked me to attend Eltham Ladies night with her in December so I will need to make some more snap trays and bags to sell. I will make six of each I think as if they don't sell I can give them away.

A foodie weekend

An interesting weekend spent with Stephanie at the Auckland food show. Lots of fun and different things to taste but not many samples this year, according to Stephanie. I still managed to come home with half a carrion bag full of stuff so that was fun. Lots of coffee samples from JED company so nice coffee as we tried one this morning. Also tried the cyclops yoghurt which was nice and thick.

Relaxing after the show at Stephanie's. 

Odyssey commencement

This is the first finished corner of the outer stitching on odyssey. I purchased this pattern in1996 or 1997 in Oregon, and started later that year. I stitched for one weekend a year on it at our annual retreat for our embroidery guild but stopped when we changed venues and I started doing the project. This year I have decided that this is my winter piece and I am hoping to get most of the outside area done this term then to buy the beads for the finishing.this was about three hours work as all these threads need to be laid neatly and not twisted.

Well this is the start of the finishing process. Another week on and I have finished another side section here. 

Also this past week has been very exciting as we had a visit from Sarah. She decided that she needed a break for her university holiday, so she came to visit her grandparents and was in time for a big family weekend. David also arrived home from Germany, Alice came home from Masterton and lots of Terry's family were visiting. I had time at the weekend to make an iPad case, so thinking of making another one for my etsy shop. 

Conference is over

Well conference is over for two years and it was a success at least for me. I came home with something that is finished today and even wore it out of the classroom.  Marilyn and I did felted flowers and butterflies with felicity Willis and both got them finished. I made a butterfly while Marilyn did a red flower. Here is a photo of our classes work from today. It was loads of fun and we used this amazing stuff called wash away fabric. It just dissolved in hot water. Most exciting part of the day.

My butterfly is the one in the middle. 

Embroidery conference classes

My class with Jo dixey was a hoot. I learned lots and her technique was fabulous. So fast and so sure. No agonising over stitch placement, no wonder I love needlepoint. Here is my face after day one and then day three, no I between photo.

All posted

Over the past ten months mum and I have been stitching for ANY Auction. These are the pieces that have been sent back for this years auction in Chicago.

Egg stitched by me.

Xmas Deco beaded and stitched by Mum

 

Christmas deco stitched by Mum

Elf boot stitched by me.

The other piece that we have finished was on my last blog post. It is a cone which was loads of fun to stitch and showed me how much the choice of stitch affects the finished look.

I am hoping that they will be made up beautifully and sell for good prices at the auction. It has been fun stitching and I now have brought one of my canvases out with some inspiration for stitching.

The next project that we are making for our night class is going to be some of the projects from the Needlepoint Now magazine.


This picture below shows the display table from our recent embroidery guild meeting. We also had all the pieces for our guild challenge finished and on display. It will be exciting to see it made up by Lee for the conference in New Plymouth in July. Notice under the display my table runner that Marilyn helped me make. It is the french braid pattern and now lives on the TV cabinet in my lounge. The small rooster piece was another piece stitched by Liz Bartley and I have made into a snappy bag.

May 2014 Guild Display of finished pieces.

ANG Auction piece finished

Another auction piece has been stitched and one more to go. Hoping this weekend will see the elf shoe completed. This fuchsia piece is made up into a cone to hang on the Christmas tree.