Life's Journey

I last Posted on Wednesday Morning March 21, 2012.

Remember I was stitching like a madwoman on The Brave, and I was

determined to finish him over the coming weekend.

Well that was not meant to be.

Shortly after I posted, the phone rang and it was my brother.

"Why are you calling during the day?  You work for a living and you

Never call me during the day?!" I said.

"That's right, I guess I never do call you during the day.

"I'm calling to tell you Dad has taken a real bad turn, and we have called in Hospice."

Within 18 hours I was on a plane on my way to Tucson.

When I arrived Dad had actually been taken into the hospital.  The whole Hospice thing

just wasn't meant to be for him.  I was able to spend Dad's last three days with him.
I have a fond memory of spending an entire afternoon sitting next to the bed.
Dad sleeping peacefully and me stitching.

Dad and me when I visited Mid January 2012,
prior to the Phoenix TNNA Market.  I feel so blessed that I had taken a brief time
for that visit.  I have a fond memory of Mom, Dad & I going to a lovely Italian restaurant.
Dad was a retired Attorney and had helped me greatly with contracts and such over
my design career. 
Farewell Dad, you shall be greatly missed!

A Tisket, A Tasket, How to Stitch a Basket!

An Elegant Basket of Bounty!

This was stitched way back in the fall, but I somehow misplaced 

the photos!  Yesterday, I was looking through my archived stitching 

photos for something else entirely, and 

ran across the Basket Step-by-step pics!

Even if you aren't stitching with us on the Elegant Thanksgiving, 

the pics are quite helpful for any needle-weaving project! 

STEP 1

Memory wire was used to create the shape for the Basket.  

Also, as the top row of the Basket, Memory wire provides a wonderful 

stability during weaving.

After securing the memory wire, the first color of the Warp threads 

are set in place.  The golden thread loops the wire and goes back down.

STEP 2

The Warp has a second color, brown this time.

STEP 2

 More of the brown is in!

STEP 3

Now that all of the Warp threads are set in place, it is time

for the weft weaving.  This basket uses an 

'Over-2, Under-2' weave sequence...

Notice how the needle lays 

Over the brown threads and Under the golden threads!

STEP 3 Complete

All of the Needle-weaving is done!

STEP 4

Using the brown, a row of Buttonhole Wrap Stitches is 

done across the top.

This step gives a finished look to the rim of the Basket!

FINAL

And here is our lovely Basket brimming with Bountiful Harvest for THANKSGIVING!

Never fear, The Brave is coming along.  We took the kids to the Beach at North Padre for Spring Break last week and I stitched on him like a fiend!  Yesterday I worked on Brave from 1:30 in the afternoon until after midnight!  My goal is to finish him by the end of the week!  I wish I could finish him today, but I don't want to set up for failure, 

in case I don't make it!

A Few Pics from Brave Stitching:

Another Eggplant!

Catch of the Day...still stitching!

 Lovely Woven Grass Column!

Upcoming Kelly Clubs

Kelly's Tremendous Trees

I am so excited about my Tree Club starting in April.

Aren't they Adorable?

This is a Retailers Club, and there are many shops around the country participating.
Check with your Local Needlepoint Shop!
We will soon be posting more information with a list of participating Retailers
on our web-site!

Also, check out my New Petite Nativity!
An exclusive club to A Stitch In Time Needlework in San Marino, CA.
Call to sign up today!
626-793-5217
Each piece is approximately 3.25"h x 6.6"h

Aren't these Petite Angels Darling!

An exclusive club to The Needle Works in Austin, TX
Call to sign up today!
512-451-6931
Each piece is approximately 4"h x 6"h

Indian Scout is coming to life!

Wampanoag Scout

Well I know y'all thought I had fallen off of the Planet!

In a way I did...

but we won't get into that now.

Suffice it to say that life got in the way for awhile, and I have had

very little time or energy for any of the Fun stuff, like stitching,

blogging and writing.  

However, as you can see from the above picture,

I am Back!

LESSON 4

Is the first Lesson on our Scout.  The lesson has been written,

and the kits for Lesson 4 are winging their way from Austin!
The Scout is well under way.  The past 24 hours I got alot of stitching in,
as I was in Galveston, TX at the lovely Historic, Hotel Galvez for the
Lonestar Guild's Annual Stitcher's Retreat.
Great Friends, fantastic food,  amazing stitching at a fabulous location!
What could be more relaxing?
A Stitcher's idea of Paradise!

 These Tall pines are stitched differently than background trees on Rebekkah.

I was so excited to work the beading that I just had to start here!

Bad news, though.  The beading will be in Lesson 5!

So everyone has to wait!

Sorry, all.  There is just too much background work to do first!

The Ground is a bit different than Rebekkkah, as well.

The corn cobs are highly padded prior to beading. 

Oh what a difference some beads and
a length O'Silk Ribbon Makes!


Well, that is all for now.
I promise not to wait so long to blog again!
Happy Stitching, All!

LESSON 2

Lesson 2 was shipped way back at the beginning of December.  I have had every intention of posting

the supporting Blog...but Life & the Holidays got in the way.  YIKES!

The Garland 

Here is the finished Garland over Rebekkah.

A few 

Close-Up Shots:

Ultra-suede Oak Leaves and Sweet Little Acorns

 Gorgeous Beaded Pumpkin!

The Two Autumn Gourds                                  Red Tipped Leaf Lettuce and Fabulous Grapes

Ultra -Suede Applique Pumpkin and Cranberry Bog above it!

A Most Elegant Eggplant!

I hope you all are enjoying Rebekkah!

Happy Holidays Everyone

& 

Keep on Stitchin'!

Rebekkha is Done!

Just in time 

to wish you all 

a

Very Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Just think, next year we will have our Elegant Thanksgiving Characters

to grace our Thanksgiving Table or Sideboard!

That Makes me Happy Indeed!


There is still plenty of time to sign up for
The Elegant Thanksgiving 
Stitch Along with Kelly
call
The Needle Works
512-451-6931

LESSON #1

 Well Hello Elegant Thanksgiving Stitchers!

Colleen and I are so thrilled you signed up to join us on this Project!

Thank You!

We have lots of fun & goodies, and neat threads and 

 cool techniques in store!

Lesson 1 has just shipped today. 

In your box, you will find your threads and 1st Canvas, Rebekkha!

LESSON 1

is all about the backgrounds.

When Colleen and I set about planning the series and the Lessons, we 

came to the realization that it was important to stitch the backgrounds 

the same, throughout the five canvases.

This would keep continuity in the series.  Also, the key focal elements 

in each piece are the central character, the columns and the arched 

Garland above them.

Thus, I wanted the backgrounds to be beautiful but subtle...

because, as the name implies, they are backgrounds.

I LOVE the gorgeous, Deep Claret color of this Background!

   

Notice how the Laid Fill Stitch, 

in a very subtle manner, fills in 

the Big Blue Sky.  Adding a hint of sparkle

and maximum coverage, while still 

being a small stitch!  It almost looks 

like a fine November Mist is in the 

air, on that first Thanksgiving!

The Clouds have a lacey, ethereal look about them!and definitely let the painted shading give depth to the cloud!

I love how the rocky, craggy hills
of the rustic Coast line are accented by
this modified  Diamond Ray
stitch. 

  The stitch for deep water  and on down into the
shallows, shore-line & sand are the same, but 
use random color and thread changes.  Dictated by the painted color changes, of course!

I am so excited to finish Rebekkha and start the Wampanoag Brave.

He is on stretchers. threads are selected, beads are purchased!

The Squaw and Brave will have Lots O' Beads!  Fun, fun, fun!

So Happy Stitching, All!