October 2014 IHSW 1

My step-son, Sean, absolutely loves the Grumpy Cat.  So, for Christmas this year, I am stitching one for him.  This is my own design.  It's been fun finding colors to capture the Grumpy Cat's coloring, and I know the caption will be a hit with Sean.  This has truly been a work-in-progress, as I have made changes on the fly while I stitch this piece.

Dashing Through the... NO! (April Foolery)
Stitched on 28 ct. glass blue Monaco.

Happy Stitching!

Marilyn

Back by Popular Demand

Last month, I finished a wedding sampler for my co-worker, Avery, and his bride, Shirnesha. I sent a picture to my boss's wife, Linda, as she and my boss were going to the wedding, and I knew she'd appreciate the stitching, as she's done some cross-stitch herself.  She immediately sent me a request, asking me to stitch one for her daughter, who's first anniversary was coming up at the end of August.  She said she'd pay me whatever I wanted for my time and the materials needed.

I'd never stitched anything on commission before.  I had no idea what to charge.  I asked my stitching facebook group what they thought, and got many responses.  Finally, I decided on minimum wage for my time, and the cost of materials.  Every hour I worked on it, I worried that it'd be so expensive that Linda would balk at the final price.

Well, I finished the piece, including my time for framing it in 13 hours.  Here it is:

Tara & Jesse (based on Heirloom Memories Ornament (Victoria Sampler)
Stitched on 28 ct. Antique White Monaco fabric.

I love how this turned out - I really like the dark purples.  I charged Linda $107, and she didn't even bat at eyelash at the price, immediately handing me a check for the full amount.  But I learned something about myself.  I would rather stitch for myself or for a gift for someone than on commission any day.  I was too worried about pricing to really enjoy the stitching.

Happy Stitching!

Marilyn

July 2014 IHSW 2

I'm just a little late in posting my International Hermit and Stitch Weekend progress.  I am pleased to report not just one, but two finishes!  I finished the Heirloom Memories Wedding piece, and also a Wooly Lamb I'd been working on in fits and starts for several weeks.  It's a simple little design, but the entire center of his body is made up of French knots.  I think I've had enough of them for a bit!

So, here we have it:

Heirloom Memories Wedding Sampler.  Stitched on 28 ct. Antique White evenweave.

Wooly Lamb.  Stitched on 28 ct. Lavender Linen.

I have several other pieces I'd like to finish before starting totally new ones.  We'll see, though...

Happy Stitching!

Marilyn

July 2014 IHSW 1

It has been quite some time since I blogged, as I had a hand injury and have only stitched sporadically for over a year.  My finger, broken in an auto accident is doing better, and I should be stitching and posting more now.

So, here's what I'm working on right now.  It is the Heirloom Memories Ornament from Victoria Sampler.  Of course, I cannot leave well enough alone, so I'm changing it a bit and making additions.  My co-worker is getting married in a few weeks, so instead of making an ornament, I will frame the finished piece.  I am adding the name of the bride and groom to the top and their wedding date to the bottom of the design.  I am also swapping out the colors of the forget-me-nots to match their wedding color - bright fuschia, and a lighter pink for contrast.  I chose a brighter shade of green for the lazy daisy leaves and backstitch to coordinate with the brighter flowers.

As far as hardanger goes, I find cutting the threads unnerving, but I love the finished look and how easy it is to stitch the kloster blocks.  The dove's eyes were fun, too.  I can definitely see more hardanger in my future projects.  I'm sure, with practice, I will feel more at ease doing the thread cutting.  Also, I need to invest in a good pair of tweezers for removing the cut threads!


Heirloom Memories Ornament - Original finish from the Victoria Sampler website. 

Heirloom Memories Wedding Sampler stitching on 28 ct. antique white evenweave.

Happy Stitching!

Marilyn

January 2014 IHSW 1

Me, multi-tasking this weekend?  Oh, yeah.

I've been speed-stitching this week, since I decided last weekend to stitch something for my husband for our anniversary, which takes place tomorrow!!  He's a big Star Wars fan, so I decided to stitch a fun Come to the Dark Side design.  I stayed up late last night and finished it!  Woo Hoo!


Come to the Dark Side (Deviant Art)
Stitched on 14 ct. white Aida

Before I started working on Darth, I was working on "Bindalli", a floral blackwork design by Banu Demerel of SEBA Designs.  It was shown on the pattern cover in two colors, purple and green, instead of black.  I decided to stitch it in bright pink and green.   I've been working on it since the first of the year, so I'm actually almost done.  Just the upper right corner to finish and then I'm done.



Bindalli (SEBA Designs)
Stitching over two on 28 ct. antique white evenweave

When I finish Bindalli, I think I'll continue to work on the Polar bear ornaments I started before the holidays.  I finished the ones for my nephew and my niece in time for Christmas, and decided to do two more of the adorable Margaret Sherry's ornament designs and finish them back to back for a two-sided ornament for my own tree.

Happy Stitching!

Marilyn