My Last 2 Weeks In Stitches

Sunday 1/24 - BoInk

Tuesday 1/26 - Pixies's Lady

Thursday & Friday 2/4-2/5 - crocheted lace

So, where have I been, and why so little to show for 2 weeks? I've started working for a company called GhostStitchers, who provide stitching services for custom work as well as model stitching. These projects come with deadlines ;) so I have to put aside my personal stuff to finish in time. I mailed my first project back on Thursday and sat down and gave myself a stitching break, and started crocheting some lace. This is an antique pattern I found on About.com - click the link above to see the pattern. I'm working with a size 10 crochet thread made from bamboo in natural, which as you can see, looks lovely against my jeans. :)

As I'm working on this, it seems really wide to me - I prefer a subtle, narrow trim. I keep trying to think how I could cut it in half, and I hope by the time I reach a reasonable length (what is a reasonable length, when you're making lace with no specific project in mind?) that I'll figure it out enough to make a skinnier version. There don't seem to be a lot of patterns for lace online - I found a lovely scalloped one on Kristi's blog, and as soon as I hear that my TTE2 partner has received her scissor pocket, I'll post a pic of that lace. It turned out really pretty!

Just a quick drop-in

I'll post last week's progress pics sometime this week. I had a super-busy weekend. We had a women's group meeting at church, with a talk on preventive health led by a Family Practitioner who is also a member of the church. :) It was good to get general information directly from a doctor, in light of all the new changes to screening recommendations. She was fair and honest about her feelings on some of the changes here in the U.S., but also presented the science side of it so that we could understand why some task force in Washington D.C. thought they were necessary.

During the meeting, I volunteered to coordinate a craft fair/sale/bazaar (we have yet to officially name it - it will be held sometime in mid September). So from time to time I may ask for input from you fair/sale/bazaar vets - I've only exhibited at one, so I'm only aware of one way of doing it, but I'm sure there are others. :) When I have questions, I'll ask.

Another happy mail day!

I received my scissor case exchange from Nita today! She stitched an adorable house for me - it has Hardanger windows and eyelet panels on the door. Katie looked at it and said "Can I see the scissors through the windows?" LOL

The back says "A home for my scissors", and the little tag says "Made with love" :)

She also made the matching fob and sent the peacock scissors! It's really fun and pretty, and the inside is even lined with a cozy fabric. Thank you, Nita!

Maybe a silly question...

What is "Marquoir"? I've seen it on a number of stitching blogs, and I assumed it was a designer name, so I searched it, and just found pictures of more blogs with marquoir WIP. Which makes me happy. But is it a particular designer, or is it a style, like Quaker? And where are you all finding these patterns? My search didn't turn up any place to find the patterns. They're gorgeous, and I really don't need another start right now, but I could put it in my someday file.

Also, I changed my background. I like this one because it has stitching lines on the sides, and it looks like you're looking at the wrong side of a finish. And there's a picture of ME now! LOL - I finally found one that I liked of me. :)

My Week In Stitches

Sunday - BoInk - the right-hand cross is done, and I've moved back to the left side. Also, more work is done on the bottom border.

Tuesday - Pixie's Lady. I'm done with the "background" yellow for this section - you can see her silhouette now. :)

I completed stitching on the scissor pocket for TTE2 - finished it completely, and took careful notes and lots of pix. So there may be a tutorial from me on this in the future. The pocket, post card and single goodie (this is a limited goodie exchange) is sitting in it's envelope, addressed, ready to go to the post office. :) I also made a ton of progress on PIF #3 - I was going to start giving sneak peeks on Facebook, then Zsuzsa found me on there! :) So it stays a secret for everyone. I think it'll be finished this week. Then I'll have no choice but to go back to the advent calendar. Or start something else *evil laugh*

I Love Learning New Things!

Things I've learned in the last few days (with some links):

How to crochet lace

How to finish a scissor pocket

How to "strike through" in Blogger

Examples of the first 2 are secret until my TTE2 partner receives her scissor pocket; meanwhile, get ready for me to go strike-through-crazy!

My Week In Stitches

Sunday - BoInk

Tuesday - Pixie's Lady

Once again, the rest of the work from this week is for gifts/exchanges, so it's super-secret! I will say that I finished the stitching on my TTE2 piece yesterday. My husband is in town until Thursday, so I will wait to do the finishing until Friday.

Still no word on DH's interview from October; he's continuing to look for any other positions that will just get him here. We were glad to have him here for a longer visit this time, though!

Good news...and a finishing question

I was thrilled to see that Estrella has received the TTE Floss Tag that I angel-stitched for her. I skipped that exchange because we were moving, but I was happy to fill in when Estrella didn't receive hers. Once again, I forgot to take a finish-finish pic, but here it was before assembly. You can see her pics (much better than mine) on the TTE2 blog. :)

So, my question is related to TTE2. The next exchange is a scissor pocket or scissor case. Another first-time finish for me. I went to Focus On Finishing to look at the tutorials before I decided on the design. I found this one which makes a cute stitched pocket against a contrasting fabric. I was reading through her instructions (good thing before I got to the point of finishing) and found a phrase I don't understand - "lacing". For example: Cut 2 pieces of lining fabric. Allow enough seam allowance to pull the lining fabric to the back of the cardboard pieces and lace it. (italics mine) Does anyone know what that means? I e-mailed the author over the weekend, but have not had a response yet. The design I've sketched out could also be finished as a triangular case (I've seen directions for that, too), but I really like the cute-ness of the pocket finish.

If you know what that means, or know of a tutorial with clearer instructions, please let me know!!!! Thanks!

I've entered another giveaway!

Please take a minute to check out Kristi's drawing for a LOT of stash! And then stay, read, and enjoy her work!

My Week In Stitches (formerly, Weekend Update)

Sunday - BoInk

Monday - crocheting another infinity scarf

Tuesday - Pixie's Lady

In between I worked on PIF #3 and started sketching for the next TTE2 exchange - a scissor pocket! I have not picked up the advent calendar at all this week. But Pixie's Lady is waaaaaay overdue, and I should have sent out PIF #3 in mid-December, so I feel safe pushing it back again.