My first start on Forever Hope 1819

This week has been quite a challenge as I'm fighting a bad ear infection and have been febrile until last night and this morning. Have to go see a specialist this morning so my post is short. I haven't had an ear infection since age 10 so  don't know what triggered it but I do know it's something that has been lingering for 3 months and then finally with fever and feeling like the flu, I had it checked. I know people in the medical field are the worst patients and wait till we are about dead to get checked but........I digress.

Last night I started Forever Hope 1819, a sampler designed by me for rememberance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. My needlebag is FULL of purple colors. You can watch me along the way because this will be the model piece. I've already picked out a frame but haven't bought it yet. I'm framing this piece in black when finished. I really have a deadline to meet quite fast so I have to get moving on it.

The top border last night finished  using Finley Gold, Argyle Socks, and The Old Oak Tree, in CC. The blend did turn out well interwoven together. 

  I'm stitching this on 32 count Lakeside Linen Attic Lace. It's a very pretty off white color.

Then down to the CC Silk, Empress.  Butta stitching!

 Now this is the most beautiful purple in my stitching bag!

Here is my newest stitch bag I got last Sunday at The Stitch Store. I wish I could have gotten both sizes but trying to budget a bit.

There were several bags with different sampler type cotton trimmings but I picked this one out first. Of course, I loved them all ;)

It inspires me to make this sampler beautiful and really holds more than I thought it would.

This also inspires me and holds more than I thought she would. She is sulking here. I took a shot of her while I was on the sofa stitching. She just watched Fox news with me.

She really has a hard life here.

She is Forever Hoping too. Forever Hoping for one of us to play with her or just hold her because she is truly a lap dog.

So, here I am and where I'll start again on my return from the ear doc today. The bag will be traveling with me to the waiting room, where I'll get to be on the other side of life for a while.

Till later,

Jennifer

October Breast Cancer Give-a-way is HERE!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness as many of you know here in the USA. Last year I started a yearly give-a-way of a pair of Kelmscott Pink Snips scissors with a sampler. This year I am trying to keep in tradition as a portion of this purchase will go to Breast Cancer Research (the scissors only).

Included in this giveaway are one brand new pair of Kelmscott Pink Snips!!!! These are very lovely, all gold metal with the handles coated with a beautiful pink.

and this sampler is on order here, pic is from 1-2-3 online webstore at: http://www.123stitch.com/

  Jane Baxter 1824 sampler

designed by Primitive Traditions

The verse says, "Lord, grant me the courage to proceed in what I have begun. All my desire and delight is in thy ways to run. My God, permit me not to be a stranger to myself and Thee; may I obey thy Voice Divine and All Inferior Joys Resign"

stitch count is 259 x 397

I thought this verse was most fitting for any woman facing a crisis whether it be breast cancer or any other challenge daily.

The Give-a-way begins now and will go through October 30th (promise)

On Halloween I will select a name from the random number generator so to increase your chances to win these beautiful items

1) post as a follower, or become one! I'm always glad to connect with new people all over the world and with blogger friends that have stuck with me through thick and thin ;0

2) for a second entry, you may post on your blog in some way (if you have one)

3) for another chance, post the approximate number of friends (no names please for privacy)  you know personally that have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Statistics show 1 out of 8 women will be affected in her lifetime. Research to help find a cure is always a goal I want to see in my lifetime.

International accepted but please post in English

Because this will be a computer generated random drawing, you will need to post a different posting for each try. Thanks so much!!!!  Good luck. This give-a-way is always close to my heart as I work in Women's Health.

I wish I could buy everyone on this blog a pair of those scissors but not able to.

I promise you will LOVE THEM!!!!

So, something for me to look forward to on Halloween and for you too!

Let the fun begin in October 2010!

My new critter at the house

Just want to introduce my new critter. It has helped me alot!  Helped me figure that I got fabric cuts a bit right on the target!

I love it though, but haven't named it yet. I'm always trying to find my hubbie's work tape measure and it's just too big and bulky for me so when I saw this at The Stitch Store this afternoon (finally made it there!), I thought it would definitely be both useful and easy to find in my bag of stash.

Here she/he is:

The tail has been busy tonight fretting over fabric cuts. Don't you think it is cute????

I turned it over and I think though it might be a she.

Yep, it's a girl!

Break out the pink cigars!  ;)

'Cause girls get the job done!  Honest fact, we all know it. Yep.

They multitask, even if they are slow sometimes, like me on this project.

Whoever made this did a great job and what a great idea too!!!!!

I'll show you a bit more goodies tomorrow night from my shopping trip. But tonight I finally decided, measured, measured twice, checked the design, figured it on paper, figured it on calculator, I think I have every thread I need in order to frame afterwards.

So, names for turtles are popping through my mind as I get ready to sleep........

~~~~ Turtilisa ( helping stitchers measure precious threads, one at a time)  :o

Turtilisa's tail has got to be sore by now. I've measured alot tonight. Maybe even a bit OCD. But have fabric, have threads, have design and ready to rumble.........I did have fun looking through more purples, pinks, mauves, and grays and more today.

Have a great Monday tomorrow. I'll be bahk to show you some more stitchy things tomorrow.

Copyright and needlework

(Designer for the above is Little House Needleworks, Always and Forever sampler one of my finishes

2010)

I came across this blog that actually addresses copyright issues in the needlework industry. As a newbie, designing is something that takes time, patience, thought and I would like to do what I can to make sure that copyright law is kept. 

Read about it here

Interesting reading and one of my greatest fears in designing would be to not realize a certain design is out in the world already created. I would definitely want to know if this happens because I abide by copyright law and wouldn't want that happening to myself either.

Even if you are not a designer, you may want to check out this blogspot. Good information.

Candy Corn ornie

Candy Corn

designed by Feathers in the Nest

copyright 2010

As requested, a candy corn ornie!

Uses DMC white, black, and Week's Dye Works Squash and Pumpkin.

81H x 44W

fabric of choice

Halloween Chocolates freebie

Halloween Chocolates sampler

Designed by Feathers in the Nest

copyright 2010

There's nothing better than chocolates on Halloween......well, except candy corn!

Here's a little one to stitch on any kind of fabric, maybe as a pinkeep for the chocolates basket.

I suggest any vintagey fabric which will contrast with the deep and lighter brown colors.

Suggested colors are:

the pumpkin.......WDW Pumpkin

the heart symbol and green .......................WDW Kudzu

the darker chocolate colors..........GA Dark Chocolate

the lighter chocolate color.......GA Fudge Ripple

Hope you enjoy!

If you stitch, please reference Feathers in the Nest, as well as keep the chart as close to the design as possible so that it will respresent my work.

Thanks so much for your understanding and now go and stock those candy baskets and get ready for some trick or treaters. I miss that so much. We haven't had one since we moved to the boonies but before at my old house, we had the most in town!