It has been a little while now but.....

I really have been busy....honestly! I have been diligently stitching on Goldenwood. I finished another complete page. I also started a little Halloween thing but I was not really feeling it. I then went back to Goldenwood. I have not picked up Rocky Mountain Christmas, my table topper, Fortunate Traveller or Tulip Time. I am truly getting on with this Goldenwood project.

Of course I visit many message boards.....Stitch A Long on EZboards.....Legacy on EZboards....Aion on EZboards....... and 123 Stitch. People (Genie & Ina) have opened my eyes to yet another TWO designers. I now crave their work! I am talking about Ink Circles....They are simply glorious. In particular I love Cerque des Cercles and Garden Stars....(faint)! And drum roll please........ Jan Houtman! His are truly awe inspiring. Again, in particular, Friendship Sampler, Life Tree Sampler, Rose Sampler, Tulip Sampler, Initials 1991 Sampler and one that has not come out yet, 30 Years Embroidery Sampler! (Thud) I have to quit that. The bruises are getting harder to explain.

Did I tell you HAED has released even more Josephine Wall designs for cross stitch? I know many, many people love her art. Well, you should see the charts!

I am turning into a chart collector. I don't really want to do that. I want to get only the designs I actually plan to stitch. I must clear out some of my stash. I think I will make a stash album and have it hanging around my signature on the boards, that way if someone sees something they like, they can just ask. I am running out of room for all this stuff. I

have taken a turn toward samplers now. I must get about 10 to 20 Sampler Charts and then I will have enough to feel I have will not run out! LOL Once I get rid of the things I will not stitch (I must be brutally honest with myself) I will have room for more fabric and floss...not to mention the 20 Sampler Charts. LOL

Has anyone looked on the Told in a Garden website. She has a direct link to the stitching stand. Does anyone have one? How do you like it? About how much do they run?

Oh how I wish I was home stitching right now. First make some lunch...some nice soup and some iced tea.....then stitch, stitch, stitch. However, the need for pesky little things like food, heat and shelter get in the way.....one must work you know!

Does anyone do Crewel? I love the way it looks. How hard is it? It appears to be old fashioned embroidery.....satin stitch....stem stitch.....etc. How close is it?

Well, I think that is enough for right now.

Just some rambling.

I have heard of many people who don't like certain types of stitching. I have types of stitching I do not find appealing to me, TO STITCH. However, when looking at others projects, I can find the beauty in it and the skill it took to stitch it. As Needle Artisans I do believe we should all be able to do that, even it is not our cup of tea. And I do believe that we all do, for the most part.

I am still working on Goldenwood by Ruth Sanderson (Heaven and Earth Designs). I love working with the warm Autumn colors...earth tones. It is very peaceful and relaxing. The finished product will be awesome. I am going to use the (approx. 15" X 29") piece in a quilt. I will have my mother use it as a center and make me something lovely for my bed. I am doing it on 28ct Jobelan, 2 over 2.

I love doing Table Toppers too. Rico has some lovely fabric and designs. I am doing a Dandelion design. I am about half way finished. I am not fond of the Dandelions but my mom is. I am doing it for her. I really should get back to it. I am in the mood to work with fine fibers, not 4 strands of floss in a fat needle. It would be a satisfying finish though.

I hate backstitching. I know it makes the details on a project become more vivid. I have procrastinated on two projects because of it. I am done but still must backstitch. Those would really not take too long either. Fortunate Traveller by Teresa Wentzler and Tulip Time by Marty Bell/Pegasus Originals. (Sigh) I love them but I must get up the gumption to backstitch.

I took a lloooooonnnnnggggggg walk through Wyndham Samplers today. I am dead in the water. I am now a Sampler Junkie. I only want a mere couple hundred new charts! Well, it gives me something to shoot for. But I want so many, I am getting confused. When I get confused I do not purchase anything. I then settle into my stitching and give it hell. My hat is off to all the designers. You create such fantastic projects for us. Thank you all!

I am also working on a lovely Hardanger Table Topper by Lorri Birmingham. It is done on 28ct Jobelan. I am doing it on beige with ecru perles. There is also some embroidery in the center. I have not chosen my colors yet. We will see. It is actually called Pretty in Pink....original done on Baby Lotion Pink, 28ct Jobelan with white threads. It is very intricate and detailed. There is a tremendous amount of stitching and cutting on this one. And just about every Hardanger Specialty stitch is being used. It is something to see. (Not my stitching, just the project itself)

Oh how I wish I could win the lottery and stitch all day...purchase all the charts, fabric and threads I want....build a stitching room.....(sigh).....can you tell what I'd do without about $50,000.00 of that money? Shopping Spree! Furniture, stitching stuff, renovation of the house! That is what I would do...RIGHT OFF THE TOP!

Well, enough for today. You all be careful out there!