Wednesday Whimsies - September 25, 2013 - Couched Pu
Good afternoon.  I'm having computer 'issues' today.  But, I can post the stitch sheet for the Couched Puffs. I cannot post the sample as I cannot scan it today.  Maybe later.

In addition to the listed suggested uses, this stitch can be used to form small pom poms.  The couching will need to be further apart, perhaps add more threads, and couch down really, really tight.  Next, clip the threads between the couched threads and ta!da! a baby pom pom.

Have fun with this and I'm going to try to take my frustrations out on a dirty refrigerator!

Sandy

Wednesday Whimsies - September 18, 2013 - Plaited Gobelin

Fall is definitely in the air here in Central Kentucky.  While some, like my daughter and husband, are thrilled with the season change, and while I do love the fall colors, I am not a fan of colder weather.  Thank goodness for sweats and cuddly throws!

 The stitched sample shows the first row of the stitch and the second row shows the second step of the stitch actually crossing the previous row of stitches.

Again, this stitch can be adjusted to various sizes. Plaited Gobelin makes a pretty border and nice edges or bands where needed.   Experiment!

I am off to a long weekend of classes - so until next time - Remember to stitch with a smile!

Sandy

Wednesday Whimsies - September 11, 2013 -  Rhodes Heart

The Rhodes stitch is always one of my favorites.  And, the Rhodes heart is right there on top.

Today I think the heart is very appropriate.  My heart aches for the terrible memories associated with this date.  My thoughts and prayers go out to all those touched by the tragedy on 9-11-01, and isn't that really everyone? Today a friend posted the Budweiser commercial and it brought back stirring memories. I remember watching it as if it were yesterday.  I still talk about that commercial today and I still weep when trying to describe it. It is one of the most moving, if not the most moving, film clips I have every seen.

This is a great stitch to have just as a motif (teddy bear heart?), border, band, background, clothing, and on and on.  

Here is a copy of a real life application.  This is from a foot pad of Pinkletoes, a bunny class that I just taught at Seminar in Anaheim, CA.

Well, I'm off on the road again.  This time I am meeting with some friends and having just a knock-down-drag-out stitching lonnnnnggggg weekend!  YEAH!

Remember to stitch with a smile!  Until next week . . .

Sandy

Wednesday Whimsies - September 4, 2013 - Blocked Cross

Home from Seminar.  Very tiring, very rewarding and fulfilling!  Classes were wonderful and the students top notched!  I could not have asked for a better group. And, Wooo Hooo, as I told you in the previous post, I was awarded by ANG at the Seminar's Closing Banquet in Anaheim, CA, the Literary Award in recognition of my Shapes of Needlepoint Series I-IV.  I was speechless - for about 15 seconds. I am so proud and so humbled too.

This week I am posting the Blocked Cross.

This is another stitch that is easily expanded upon.

Notice that on the second row the stitch was enlarged to 8 canvas threads.  Also, notice on the stitch on the right that I dropped down 2 canvas threads instead of one for the second pass.  Didn't that make a pretty stitch?

As you can see, you can play with these stitches and create many combinations.  Give it a whirl.

Until next time, remember to stitch with a smile.

Sandy

ANG Seminar - Anaheim, CA

As always, Seminar was great!  I cannot believe it is over.  We spend at least two years preparing after we learn our designs are accepted for teaching.  Somehow, that time just slips away.  During that time, we start getting excited and are anxious for Seminar to begin.

Well, it does being.  For me it began with the Teaching Excellence class by Catherine Jordan.  The class was not up my alley as I am not good when it comes to numbers, figuring angles, etc.  However, Catherine did manage to get all of us up to par on preparing our templates to help determine the focal point, thirds, etc.  I even enjoyed the class!  Great job Catherine.

I took another class on working with polymer clay.  This was actually a 'tour' and not part of the ANG educational offerings. While it was fun, it wasn't really what I expected.  For some reason I thought I would be making beads.  No, we made a picture frame.  Mine is so bad that I choose not to share it here with you.  It is best for you to just think that maybe I'm being harsh on myself rather than actually proving how bad it was.

Good thing out of this class was that I was able to meet a Facebook participant face-to-face.  That was great!

Then we start with Opening Banquet.  This is the time that all the ribbon winners of the judged entries are announced.  The anticipation is always exciting. The results are always breathtaking and awesome!  Congratulations to all - some I know personally, which makes it even more exciting.

My class on Pinkletoes started Monday.  What a great time I had!  I sure hope my students had as much fun as I did.  We managed to get through all 6 canvases and there were no surprises along the way. My students were great.  We had a wonderful week of laughing, sharing and stitching!

I had several required meetings to attend that involved teachers, such as the NETA luncheon, the Master Teacher Program meeting and the MTP proctors meeting, the certification celebration, etc.These are held during your 'free' time.

Closing banquet was a fantastic climax to my wonderful week.   ANG bestowed upon me the prestigious Literary Award in recognition of my contribution through my Shapes of Needlepoint Series I-IV books. My flight home was partially on clouds as I was on a high.  When I went to the podium to receive the reward, President Pat Rogers said to me 'didn't see that one coming did ya!'  Boy was she right!

I am very glad to be back home, but it will take quite a while for me to put Anaheim and Seminar 2013 in the background.  However, I must get busy on other designs, proposals and stitch guides!

Until later, thank you all for your support through your participation in attending my classes and in the purchase of my books, apps and stitch guides.

Until next time, remember to stitch with a smile.  Mine will be difficult to stop for awhile!
Sandy