Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Howdy Do's and How Do You's??







Many moons ago - about 18 years of moons - I bought my first counted cross stitch pattern. Of course, being me, I didn't pick out the one that is for beginners, I chose one with a lot of colors and very complicated graphics. Two years later, I finished my project and had it professionally framed. Whew!

After that I had to have another project and off to the store to buy another project, this time a Prairie Schooler sampler pattern. It was a daunting sampler, but I loved making it. My oldest son, then 8 years old, would sit by me in the evenings and would sometimes help me pull the thread through the hole. I told him that this would be his sampler to have someday - of course he ain't gettin' it till he has his own home. ;)

Now that I made one for my oldest son, I had to make one for my youngest...must not leave him out!! At that time his room was decorated in a Warren Kimble pattern of sailboats, lighthouses and flags. I found the perfect pattern for him with flags, houses and boats. And...it was also the perfect size to fit in a victorian criss cross frame that I already had.

My goal was to make a sampler each year - an unrealistic goal it ended up being with working full time in a new career. Of course, I managed to stretch it out and completed some projects over the years, but not what I exactly had intended to do. I buy most of my kits at a wonderful shop, Elegant Stitch, which happens to be right here in town. How perfect is that? I have come to know Lois and Annie over the years and they are just the sweetest ladies. Lois owns the shop and will go the extra mile to ship you just what you need for your projects. My favorite patterns are Blackbird Designs, which she sells at her shop.


Lately I have come across some truely talented cross stitching ladies who have inspired me to get out some of my projects. I asked myself, "How do they find the time to stitch so much?" Tina just finished another little pretty project and when you are done visiting Tina, stop over to Heidi's blog to see her wonderful pincushions and pinkeeps. I asked Heidi if I could post photos of her pincushions and she said yes!! The ghost and the witch's hat a just a few of her original patterns. Too cute!! Oh, and OUCH! I added the photo of her bird and cherry pinkeep that she cross stitched. Now, tootle over to Nancy's and Jaimie's to see all of the wonderful projects they have made. Amazing!!!


There are two friends from Germany, Anja and Patricia, who have been bitten by the creative bug big time! Anja creates the most gorgeous dresses with lovely embellishments. Check out how Patricia "pimped" her jacket and her recent posts on the pincushion and pillow that she made. Too cute!


Ok, this post is getting quite lengthy..apologies..but before I end, there are four new blogging friends to introduce! Stop over to visit Jen, Michelle, Brenda and Vintage Twist to wish them a Howdy Do!!! Best wishes to all of them and welcome to our little cyber world of friendships. Wink and a nod to y'all!!!

31 comments:

Michelle said...

Becky,

Your samplers are so beautiful! I love the framing as well.

I can't wait to make a trip to Elegant Stitch. I hear it is a lovely shop.

My favorite designers are Blackbird and Prairie Schooler, to name just a few!

Thanks for the mention and the visit :)

Have a wonderful day,

Michelle

Amy said...

HI Becky,

My first job out of school was designing cross-stitch kits for Sunset Designs ... Prairie Schooler was my absolute favorite at the time and very inspiring. I haven't stitched in ages (24 hour days are not enough!) but can't let go of my DMC collection for some reason. Have agreat day! -amy

Nancy said...

Hi Becky,

How flattering to be mentioned on your blog - thank you! I am near completion on a wonderful Halloween sampler and can't wait to share photos.

Aren't Heidi's pin cushions so cute? I was the lucky winner of one of them. Can't wait to see it!

Enjoy your day,
Nancy

Dena said...

Hi Becky,

I love your samplers, I've never tried but I am feeling inspired by your collection. My mom did beautiful needlepoint pieces, but I just never thought about it. I have a box of her old threads and may need to yank those out of the closet :)

Hugs,
Dena

Marilyn in NM said...

I love your samplers. I've always loved cross stitch but I never seem to be able to finish a big project only very small ones like bookmarks, canning jar toppers, etc. I have lots of started projects but then they sit in my basket and don't get finished. Maybe someday I'll finish one and post it on my blog.....lol.
Thanks for sharing the other blogs and the shop url. More to look at!

Heidi said...

Thank you so much Becky for this link to my blog and for the honor of being shown on yours. I really hope that I might influence you to pick you needle back up again. Your samplers are really wonderful and it would be a shame if you cannot do more. There are so many wonderful charts out there and many are quite easy to stitch. Plus there is a great advantage to homemade things in your home. You can make something very uniquely yours.

Hope you are having a wonderful Tuesday!

~~ Heidi ~~

Little ol' Me said...

I just adore the look of the samplers and crossed stitched piece. My mother is truly an artist and I have a number of her pieces in my home.

I just don't have the patience for it myself. I need instant gratification! LOL... My projects must be completed in a day or less!

Thanks for the beautiful links!!
Tiffany

regina barnett said...

LOVE YOUR SAMPLERS, THEY ARE SO BEAUTIFUL. I HAVE NEVER REALLY LEARNED HOW TO CROSS STITCHED. I USE TO WATCH MY GRANDMOTHER DO SOME CROSS STITCHING. BUT SHE DID MORE CROCHTY THAN ANYTHING. I'M NOT MUCH OF A SEWER EITHER. BUT I LOVE TO LOOK AT THE BEAUTIFUL WORK THAT PEOPLE DO. HAVE A BLESS DAY.

Flea Market Queen said...

I love the samplers...
I have never done this but I so love it!
Priscilla

Feenwerkstatt said...

I love especially the hat and the ghost!!!
And thank you so much for your amiable words and compliments about my blog!
Love from Germany, Anja

Anonymous said...

Your samplers are wonderful!! I started one last year and finally gave up and donated it to Goodwill. Hopefully someone else will finish it.

Manuela

Nunnie's Attic said...

I love samplers. My mother-in-law made us one but I would love to have some more. Is it hard to do? I have never done one. Yours are beautiful. Very very talented.

Love,
Julie

Esther Sunday said...

Becky - the samplers are fab!!! How nice to be able to hand down. My mother did a bi-centennial embroidery in 1976 each for me and the bros. They are framed and include the stamps that were sold during that year. Love having it, in fact, it is was made me decorate my guest bath in a patriotic theme. It is of Martha and George - a groovey couple. Love, Esther

Anonymous said...

And to play off of your title:

And how do you do it?

You know what I love about you? You are always so generously steering your guests to look at other people's blogs. You don't beg for attention, you are not afraid people will discover that you are not the only blog in the world, you don't worry that they will click on a link and forget to return, you are just a nice person. You share wonderful treasures, discover wonderful people, and connect everyone together in such a kind and generous way. You are an example to bloggers everywhere, Becky! Truly, you just amaze me.

xo,
Melissa

TinaTx said...

Becky,

Your samplers are wonderful! Love the way you have them displayed.

You are super lucky to be so close to Elegant Stitch! I've ordered from them several times. I would love to visit in person sometime.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for the mention!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Wonderful cross stitch! I have never tried it before, but admire it when I see it!

Love the ghost pin cushion!
Penny

Nancy said...

P.S to earlier comment -

Your samplers are beautiful Becky, and your stitching is done so nicely. I especially enjoyed looking at Prize Your Liberty. I have that one as a work in progress, but I have put it aside for now. It's so beautiful finished!

BittersweetPunkin said...

I attempted a cross stitch once...I have it somewhere...unfinished. So I will just enjoy the work of others!
Blessings,
Robin

crazyhaberdasher said...

Love the samplers - cross stitching is one of those crafts that I have yet to take up...it was my sister who was the Xstitcher making things for the everyone, but I would love to do a sampler.
Isn't Heidi amazing, there is always something to "drool" over whenever I visit her.

Lisa Johnson said...

Hi Becky,

I used to do cross stitch as a teen and unfortunately do not have any of my projects from then. Mostly I did jar lids and smaller projects. It would be fun to get back into it, but just don't have the time. Hope you are having a good week. I am feeding school kids again this week.

Hugs,

Lisa

Chris@Cats On My Quilts said...

I have a lot of counted cross stitch in my home but my daughter is the cross stitcher. Love all of yours.

ShabbyInTheCity said...

I used to be a cross-stitching machine!! Then I got carpal tunnel with my last pregnancy...anyway every boy got a sampler and I am so proud of them. Love all of your photos and projects!

Reginas Cottage said...

Becky,
I love especially the ghost and the
hat,but another samplers are so
beautiful.
Best wishes from Germany,Regina

Jane said...

Wow Becky! I've been away for a couple of days and I came back to see these! These are just beautful! And thank you for mentioning me on your blog! That was so sweet! When you visited you said you liked to do samplers but really! Great job!

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

Hello, I just went and looked at your home on cottage of the month. I was so happy to see that someone else had wood kitchen cabinets. I want to paint mine but I think I would rather stay married! It was nice to see that your home looks just like a cottage with the wood cabinets. Most of them have white.
Have a wonderful day.

bee'nme said...

Hiya Becky!

You have such a knack for finding, displaying, creating and sharing the coolest stuff! Love the little pincushions - too cute! And your own samplers - wow - I'm so impressed!! I'm a big admirer of stitchers (though I have no clue how to do it myself) - in fact, your post has inspired me to take and share photos of my big collection of framed crewel (as well as some cross stitch and needlepoint) embroidery that I have hanging in my studio. I've been collecting it for years - every time I'd see an embroidered piece at a garage sale or junk store, I would think about the person that labored over that thing for hours on end, and I just couldn't let it sit there and end up at the landfill. SO...consequently, I have a lot. Thanks also for sharing the new bloggers with all of us - it's always great to make new creative and fun blogging buddies!!

Blessings and hugs,
Becky S.

Shabby-Roses-Cottage said...

Dear Becky,

Soooooooooooooooooooo many thanks for your lovely words about my blog !!!!!!!
It's a big honor for me :o)
Thank you sooo much...
I love your blog !!!
Hugs & Kisses, Patricia

P.S. And your samplers are very very pretty...

Linda said...

Becky, Love your samplers, they are my favorite to stitch. I'm working on a "Home Sweet Home" now and would like to have it finished before Christmas.

Isn't Lois the best...love, love, love her and the Elegant Stitch----just got an order from her today.

A happy day to you . Linda

Cynthia said...

Love the samplers. Thanks for the links to the other ladies. I will be checking them out soon. Thanks for sharing!

Shelby said...

love the samplers and the links too!! :)

happy day today - it's almost Friday..

kari and kijsa said...

Those pumpkins are adorable! We haven't seen anything like that...so sweet with those sunflowers. You always have the best stuff.

blessings, kari and kijsa