Here I am

finally got it!
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I won this pattern on Ebay for $4. It is an oop (out of print) pattern from Bent Creek. The saying is "Awake northwind and come southwind, then all of the trees of the forest will sing for joy". It is simple but i have been wanting it for a while now... my sister will be so jealous , she is a self admitted tree-hugger. Too bad Liz, this one is mine!

Seaology
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Here is what I started recently, Seaology by Trilogy, I wanted to do it in DMC but now that I have gotten to the blue ocean around the sub, I am thinking I may go get "Tropical Ocean" by GAST. I have done other patterns combining the threads (EduCATed, Little pumpkin in the patch) Chosing to do large parts with the overdyed, and the rest with DMC, you get a similar effect without spending all the dough. Any one else done this pattern? what did you do?

Lavender hill
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

And finally here is Lavender Hill, finished. No matter how many times i photographed it, it still looked washed out, so you will jst have to trust me when I say it is georgeous, I can't wait to frame it and Moon and Stars.

I finished my powerpoint presentation for my defense (my advisor wants to see it this friday at the lab meeting). So I wil have a whole week to polish it before the 11th. Meanwhile my mom is coming to visit this weekend. we are going to paint the guest (my) bathroom, I will be sure to post before and after pics, I know you will be dying to see the results.

SBQ

I stitched a bit on Santa yesterday , and started trilogy's Seaology last week, but haven't taken any photos yet.

SBQ:
Have you ever participated in a needlework mystery (i.e., a design that you started before knowing how it will look in the end and by which you receive parts of the design via the internet, magazines, or leaflets at spaced intervals)? If so, why did you decide to do the mystery? What appealed to you about it? Did you enjoy it? If you have not done a mystery, would you ever do one?

I have never done a mystery, up until a year ago I did not know what one was. The ones I have seen are a bit expensive, and just haven't appealed to me.

I know Armageddons date!

Yes folks it is true, after about 24 hours of stress trying to get all my committee members to agree to a date and time, and the fact that two of them are leaving in three weeks and you have to give the department notice two weeks ahead of time, and make sure the conference room is available, and that your thesis is presentable:

I will defend on April 11th at 11 am.

Little House Needleworks extravaganza!!!

Moon and Stars
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Well, not really, that just seems to be all I have stitched on this week. Here is the completed Moon and Stars...This one and Lavender Hill (below) are screaming for me to frame them, I have no idea where to hang them, but I must listen to the screaming.
Unfortunately there is no other stitching yelling at me, my heart just isn't in it lately. I spend my days typing on the computer redoing my thesis over and over, (4th (or is it the 5th) draft of the disscussion thank you). And after dinner I just feel like vegging in front of the TV. Part of the problem is the stuff I need to do (like the Green Darner) is complicated and requires lots of paraphenalia and thinking (confetti stitching,half stitches whatnot). Some one did ask me what I stiched Moon and Stars on...I used the fabric that it called for 28 ct. Silvery Moon Linen, I was just lucky that the store I bought the pattern had the fabric too.

and Here is a not quite finished Lavender Hill...I had the greens it called for 3052 and 3053 but when I went to stitch the lighter green it looked the same (which happens to me often due to some of the 30year old threads I have inherited), so tonight I will find a suitable green for the flower stems and the outer layer of the tree.

I loved stitching these, they were easy, quick, and fun.

Lavender Hill
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Ok on to other things First: after finding that I tend to look over other blogger wishlists and send them stuff when I find it, I figure maybe I should make one up too, I have started another blog page just for my wish list and you can bop on over using the link in my sidebar... I figure it is a good time to do this anyway with my graduation on the horizon (it is far but it is there!)

Stitching bloggers Question of the Week: Do you stitch “over one?” If so, describe your experiences. If not, have you considered it? (See an “over one” diagram.) I have and do not mind it but do not prefer it. My first over one was an ornament that I did for an exchange. over 32. .I needed it to be smaller than the original specified. Now that I think about it ,all my over one stitching has been for ornaments. I don't think I could do a large piece that way.

Big mess of stuff to tell you....

Haul from trip to charleston
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

So read this whole post ;)

I was down in Charleston, SC for three days (it was spring break for me this week) and hit 2 cross stitch stores. Ian and I stayed with a friend down in Mt. Pleasant and had a great time. We wandered beaches and toured the aquarium (we didn't do downtown...we did that on our last trip there). Before I left I went searching online for LNS to visit, and found several, however most listings online were outdated and closed...this frustrated me alot but keep reading... I came up with a solution.

First my stash haul:
From Keep 'em in Stitches in Summerville, SC:
A Year Full of Happy- Sam Sarah
Keep it Clean- Brittercup Designs
Tropical Dream- TW
Pins and Needles -Prarie Schooler
Merry Otter- Cindy Valentine I could not pass this one up...she had a trunk show there, and I saw this finished!
Some Six Strand Sweets...they were on sale.

From Stitch n frame in Rock Hill, SC:
The littles snowman- Bent Creek
East Coast Sampler- Jeannette Douglas

So due to my frustration at finding a store and a good review of it I started a new EZboard for cross stitchers to tell us about their local needlework shop...so when I go to visit I can give them my $$$ lol. This is also a good place to list closings and openings.
To be fully honest there is another EZ board with some reviews of stores and ONSs but it is not as comprehensive as I would like this one to be. so help me (and other stitchers) out. If you have a LNS tell us about it here. The password is Stash. You do need to be an EZboard member if you aren't already. Go here to log on. I will keep this board up if there is an interest...so sign on and let me know ;) I will keep a link to it my sidebar.

And Finally the Question of the week:
Do you have an organizational system for your patterns? If so, how do you organize them? If not, have you considered organizing them?

HA I was a librarian in another life...mine are organized by designer in stand up magazine files. The smaller charts are kept in a drawer. and the freebies are organized by subjuect in a 3 ring binder in clear sleeves. I can find anything in about 5 min.

Help needed

what to do???
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I need help. you can hardly see the white I used for her wing(s). should I 1) back stitch it? or 2) leave it or 3) use a different color, if so what?

my st. patty exchange

my st. patty exchange
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Here is the stitched 8 sided pillow I sent joanne for my exchange piece. It was a freebie from The Workbasket. And I think it turned out pretty well. It is over one us ing a varigated Needle Necessities thread.

St. Pattys exchange from Juanita

St. Pattys exchange from Juanita
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I got home from Charleston, SC to find my St. Patty s exchange from Juanita. It is a beautifully beaded and stitched scissor fob. along with some fabulous extras.

My detail photos of the fob came out totally fuzzy so Ill post detailed photos tonight...check back tomorrow...here you go..

Scissor fob detail 1
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

scissor fob detail 2
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

And It is March (damn..already?)

Santa as of 3/3/06
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Here is Mr Bear. I have done a bit o green at the bottom and on Santas mitten. I have not done much this week at all. But I did finally find the camera (I was in DH truck) so I took all the pictures and posted them below...so take a look.

This weeks Question is:
What cross-stitch magazines or other publications (as opposed to blogs) do you read on a regular basis? What do you like about them? What do you not like? What would your perfect publication include?

I do not subscribe to any XS mag due to cost and lack of patterns I enjoy. I do buy the JCS ornament mag every year though. I will try to catch one or two in the bookstore occasionally but I almost never see one I HAVE to have that pattern (as I often do when I see a individual pattern). If you ask me (which I guess you just did) the american mags are currently behind the times and the britsh ones are too cutesy and too expensive. Neither use or show overdyed fibers or fabric, even as alternatives to DMC. (exception is the JCS ornament mag) All the patterns seem like stock standards that have just been reshaped and published.
If I were to make the perfect magazine, I would create it like a I use the web. Get a the popular designers today to do a few exclusives. Have a Nashville preview section where designs are shown. How about a reviewer who visits LNSs or ONSs in secret and writes a no holds barred review on the shop (like resturants). Articles on framing, finishing, color converting, and dying fabric. Instead of those insipid "look what i did!" pages, how about a well written diary of a stitcher struggling through a first time TW or Mirabila, the trouble she had the progress made and how she made the choices she did. Or how about an ongoing SAL Page where you get 6 stitchers to stich the same piece and do the progress thing above each month for say 3-5 months. (I am picturing a 2 fold layout with 6 pictures of half finished Celtic Autumns all different color conversions and a short update). How about contests for fibers and fabric from startup companies, the british mags have contests all the time...I want to play too..pout. and maybe sponsoring stitch weekends around the country, you get a group of stitchers together and the mag would send you some exclusive freebies and goodies in return for pictures and a short story. I am just brainstorming here, but it seems to me that the magazines have alot of potential that has not been achieved...
Until then I am off to an LNS instead.

In other news taxes came out better than last year we owe state but federal owes us. So Ian and I are heading to Charleston for three days. (we were going to do the whole week, it is my spring break, but I am to defend by the end of the month and need the time at school) . I am now working on my 3rd draft of the disscussion and hope to have it to my advisor tomorrow so I can enjoy my vacation.

As for my february goal of not blogging during the week and only stitching of weekends well, that fell apart a bit. I am still only writing on my blog once a week but I find myself sneaking peaks at other blogs at random. I am stitching during the week again, not doing it was putting me in a very foul mood.

March Goals:

• Finish revising and DEFEND
• Finish Moon and stars
• Finish Angel in the clouds
• continue work on Spring Garden and Santa
• work on Green darner

See you all next week

Little Angel in the clouds

Little Angel in the clouds
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Sorry she is a bit dark I had to get close cause she is small. I am using the DMC conversion but I will have to do her wings in bright white since the fabric is soo light that the 712 it calls for will dissappear. and the 931 it recommends for the clouds is WAY too dark so I will have to look for a lighter blue that works.

Moon and stars (waiting)

Moon and stars 2
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

So I am still waiting for the fiber I need to come in from my LNS (Desert Mesquite by Cresent Colors). It has been folded in my drawer patiently waiting, hence the giant creases...sorry I refuse iron more than I have too :)

Tie one one (x 2)

2 Tie one ons done
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.