Stitching with a Smile!

Thoughts run around in my head. The negative thoughts bully the positive thoughts. They push, they shove and they like to be loud.
Positive thoughts don't push, they don't scream. Positive thoughts sing softly and need quiet to be heard.
Stitching quiets the bullies, lulls them, they need to rest. I can then hear the positive thoughts singing. Each positive thought gets one-on-one attention. Stitching brings order in the chaos.
So when I stitch I smile. You may not see the smile if you're watching, but it's there, always, on the inside.
Stitching with a smile!

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Starting up again

Hi All!
Thought I would try to get this old blog another try.  If for nothing else, maybe a grandchild or even grand niece or nephew may find this interesting to see what I was up to in the early part of this century!  Wouldn't it be great to see what your mother or grandmother would have posted about so many years ago?
To dive right in....
I kitted (or semi-kitted) up many items, cross stitch and hardanger, however can only seem to work on one or two projects at a time (maybe three if I push it).  Here's what I'm working on:
On the floor stand is Cominos House by Ross Originals.  If anyone would like more information on the pattern, please let me know.  I'm working on 14ct Aida.  This takes only one colour of floss, I'm using DMC 3787.  The stitches used are:  1/2 cross with 1 strand or two; full cross with 1, 2 or 3 strands.
This is a pattern my younger sister picked out and kitted up.  She left it with my parents saying that whenever she visited she would work on it.  She visited often, but was never able to start.  Then everyone forgot about it.  I found it when our mother passed and decided I would do it for her (she's no longer interested in stitching).




This next one is a Michael Powell Bookmark kit.  With Michael Powell's artwork it's the blackwork that really makes the image pop.
The kit comes with a Zweigart Fabric Aida Band (cream, 14 ct), a felt backing that will get sewn on later and pre-sorted Anchor Threads.  There are two charts, one for the stitching and one for the backstitching.  It also comes with the tassel, but I seem to have lost mine.  No problem, I'll make one if I can't find it.
I'm not a fan of kits because I'm always afraid of running out of thread or the fabric is too small.  However so far there is lots of room at the top and bottom of the bookmark for finishing, so that's good.  Not so good is that I've run out of one thread.  But because the Anchor coding numbers are included I substituted DMC and the colour was very very close.




Keep stitching with a smile :)
Nina

Monday, April 30, 2012

Part One is Done!

I'm heading out of town Wednesday and wanted to make sure I had part one done of the SAL.  I picked out my material and threads last night, and started stitching this morning.  Can't believe how fast the time went - before I knew it the time was 1:30.  I had been stitching for over 4 hours!  No wonder my stomach was growling...it was past lunch time!

I stitched this on 32 count linen.  DMC colours as follows: Red 326; Darker Pink 3326; Lighter Pink 818; Darker Green 3347.  The Lighter Green will be 3348 and the Yellow will be 744.

Can't wait to see what the other stitchers have done!

Enjoy your week!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Fresh Start

Check out the Mini Mystery SAL over at Manka's blog. I've signed up! I will have to post my progress before May 7 in order to get the second part of the SAL. This may be difficult as I'll be away. But want to give it a go!

Here's to starting over with my blog!

Saturday, July 11, 2009



Just a quick show and tell....quilted tote bag made in one day! (except the stitching was done a couple of years ago......finally found a spot for it!). Fully lined, with a pocket inside.
This is my first solo quilting attempt....not bad for a beginner!
Thanks!
Nina

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Procrastination and then some!


Left the blogging world and did some stitching........just took forever (procrastination) to post. Also changed my picture up top from winter to summer (wish the real world worked that way!).
Finished the mining piece for my husband and had it framed. He's feeling a bit down due to the lay off.....hopefully this will encourage him when he gets to school.
Also finished this (my very first) biscornu. The pattern is from Olga at Olenka's Stitches blog. Having trouble with my computer and can't seem to link up (probably user error).
Thanks so stopping!
Nina

Sunday, April 12, 2009

It was a GOOD Friday!!




Spring is now officially here (there may still be some snow - but that did not stop us!).
The bikes are all lubed up and are on the road! Now, we just need slightly warmer weather so that we can actually take them to town. Soon...........
Yes, I'm a stitcher by winter and a biker by summer. Go figure?! (I have the red one, a Yamaha Classic 650 and dear husband has the silver Yamaha Custom 1100).
Nina



This one is for Oma and Opa





Easter photos of your grandson.

Even though he's now 16, the Easter Bunny still insists on dropping off a basket and, as always (that bunny likes this joke!), drops some eggs into his boots.

Happy Easter!


Nina