Category: Elegant Ladies

Knitting, Cross Stitch and Vampire Diaries
Craft projects · cross stitch · Elegant Ladies · Knitted Shawl · Knitting · Mermaids · Mirabilia · Project Bags · storage bags · yarn

Knitting, Cross Stitch and Vampire Diaries

My Time Stitching12 Comments

Hi! How are you? Are you still hunkered down? Are you finding things to keep you busy? For me, the answer to both questions is Yes. I have submerged myself into crafting and watching The Vampire Diaries on Netflix. I have been enjoying the series immensely and will be sad when I am finished. Which will be pretty soon, as I am on the last season. So I think I slowed down on the viewing, trying to drag it out as long as I possible can. So what have I been working on while I have been getting my Vampire fix?

Well, I finished stitching Lady Mirabilia. She turned out beautifully!

Just look at all of those sweet, sparkly beads!!
I love that the designer chose this design to commemorate her 25 years of designing Mirabilia designs.

I have pulled another WIP to work on, but haven’t stitched on it too much. I will post more about it in my next post.

I have done quite a bit of knitting. So much so, that my tennis elbow has flared up. So I have been wearing my brace and trying not to knit so much at one time. On July 28, I joined the Mermaids in the Waves shawl. It has mermaid in the title; I just had to 🙂

For this shawl, I decided on yarns from AJHC Wools. I chose colors Min and Blushing Bride (the variegated) both in Basic sock. I had it in my mind to do a Coral mermaid, and these colors are perfect.

I loved knitting this shawl so much. It took me 17 days, in between another knitting project. I will get to that one in a minute. It still needs blocking and I still have to figure out how to wear it, but I love it. I think I may need a shawl cuff. We’ll see. The pattern is by Softyarn Designs and is available on Ravelry.

So the other knitting project I started is the Sharon Show MKAL by Casapinka that started on August 7. I chose yarn from Miss Babs in some pretty pastel colors.

The yarn is Caroline, and I have mixed feelings about it so far. It has knitted up nicely, but so far 3 of the 4 balls have been a mess, coming out in hunks from the center. I have wound many, many cakes of yarn and this is the first time I have had this happen. That is why I am leaning towards it being the yarns fault 😉 This yarn creates some little fuzz balls that attach and tangle the yarn! How in the heck does that happen? And I have found some places where the double strand is broken 😦 So, I will see how this ends up. For now I will keep knitting.

Clue one complete.
Clue 2 complete

I am now working on clue 3 and I will try to get a better picture when I am finished. I am really enjoying the knitting on this one and so far, I have been able to watch the Vampires while knitting without any trouble.

Did you notice the knitting bag in my photo above? I had Clevergirl Designs make it to match my June project bag. It is so cute and was just perfect for the mermaid KAL. And here is my July Project Bag. My special order knitting bag arrived with it.

July Project bag and Mermaid knitting bag

Another mermaid project bag! Squee!! I forgot to get a picture of the back of it. But it has lots of cute mermaids on it. I will have to get a picture for next time. I received my August project bag on Friday. A sweet Summer theme!

August Project Bag

The back has the same fabric as the top. It is so cute and perfect for summer. I wonder what project I will put inside….

So this post has taken me many hours to do. WordPress has changed their format again, and I have no idea what I am doing. All these blocks keep popping up and boxes with a plus sign in them. I was just getting used to the old way. I really want the old way back. I do not like this block thing at all. But I got throughit with most of my now gray hair in tact. I had better hurry up and hit publish before I lose it all.

So that is what I have been up to. What have you been doing the last month and a half?

Still At Home, Still Crafting
Bella Filipina Designs · cross stitch · Cross Stitch Patterns · Elegant Ladies · Knitted Shawl · Knitting · Mermaids · Project Bags · Storage · storage bags · WIP

Still At Home, Still Crafting

My Time Stitching12 Comments

It’s been almost 4 months at home during this Pandemic.  I am sad, frustrated, depressed, angry and lost.  I am sad for all of those that have been sick with this virus and for those that have lost loved ones.  I am frustrated and depressed because I can’t go out and do the things I used to do or go to the places I used to go.  And I am angry because the numbers of cases are going up again and hospitals are reaching capacity in some states.  I cry watching the news, wishing I could magically make everything ok.  And I have periods where I just don’t want to do anything.  My husband is going back to work tomorrow, and I am really sad about this.  I will miss him being home and I worry about him being in a place where the risk goes up.  So I turn to my crafting to take my mind off of things.  So, what exactly have I been up to?

First, I want to talk about a product that I purchased on-line a month or so ago from a yarn shop.  I saw this product last summer at a fiber fest, but chose to spend my money on yarn at the time.  But it has been in the back of my mind as a great organizational piece.  How do you store your circular needles?  This is what I decided to use:

circular needle holder

Sorry about the poor photo.  It was the best I could get while it was empty.  It is hand made by Wonderfully Made and I thought it was a great idea.  So as soon as it arrived, I started pulling my needles out of their original packages and threading them onto the holder.

circular needle holder with needles 1

Now I am not so sure.  Now I will have to put the needles in a needle gauge to find the size I want (which was included with this holder)  and will have to measure to see how long they are.  And I always forget if I am supposed to measure from tip to tip or just the cable.  I think it was easier to flip through the packages in my accordion needle holder to find what I wanted.  It looks nice and I love the concept.  Maybe in time I will forget all of the packages.  What do you think?

In my last post, I forgot to post my May project bag.  It took 19 days to get to me by mail and from a driving distance of about 20 minutes.  It really took the scenic route.

May project bag

This is the front.  I love the pink and yellow watercolor top of this one.  And the striped border looks awesome with the Spring colors.

back of May project bag

Here is the back.  Just look at all of those pink boots!  So fun and totally a surprise.  And since then, I have received the June bag.  It arrived in record time, getting to me in a day.

June Project bag

I was over the moon when I received this one.  It is now my favorite 😉

back of June project bag

And here is the back.  SO SWEET!  Kristine knows me well.  And she does an awesome job with all of her project bags.  Different shapes and styles for everything you want to store.  She is Clevergirl Designs and you can find her on intsagram.  Oh, and this bag is already filled with a project  gifted to me from a very sweet friend.

june project bag filled

I can’t wait to start stitching this beauty.  I still need to find a fabric.  So for now, I am still stitching on Lady Mirabilia and here is how she looks this morning.

Lady Mirabilia progress 1

She is getting there.  She has been a joy to stitch and I find myself relaxing while stitching on her.  Unlike my knitting project…

wingspan progress 5

I pulled out the Wingspan yesterday and knitted 3 rows and was so done.  This pattern is not hard, just requires my complete attention and I feel like I hold my breath and really tense up during every row.  Ugh!  But it is my only knitting project on needles right now and I really would love to get it finished.  A few rows every day 😉  So far,  I am very proud of myself that I have not started anything new.  Still trying to get WIP’s finished.

I spent last weekend getting some of this and that done.  And I crossed 2 bigger projects off of my to do list.  I finally redid all of my cross stitch files.  They were still mostly in boxes from when we remodeled the basement.  They all wouldn’t fit in the 2 filing drawers I had planned, so they went into the old file cabinet and with a few more files added.

cross stitch files

It took 2 1/2 drawers, but they are like I want them.  And all patterns are filed.  Woo Hoo!

I also reorganized most of my yarn.  I put a lot of it in the 2 file drawers that would not hold all of my cross stitch files. the top drawer is all AJHC Wools yarn.  Just love her yarn.  The 2nd drawer is mostly 2 skein project yarns.  It will be fun to rummage through the drawers when I want to start a new project.

yarn files

My ottoman is also home to some pretty yarn,  Mostly one skeiners.

Yarn storage

So that is what I have been up to.  Trying to keep myself a little busy and away from the tv, except to watch Vampire Diaries.  How are you spending your time these days?

 

 

My Framing is Such Joy
Afghans · cross stitch · Elegant Ladies · Fairies · Hand Dyed Fabrics · Mirabilia · yarn

My Framing is Such Joy

My Time Stitching37 Comments

Hello blogging friends.  Hubby took 1/2 a day off today and he surprised me by taking me to the Rocking Horse to pick up my latest framing.

joy-framed

Isn’t it lovely?  I was so afraid of how it was going to turn out because my framing session was not enjoyable.  And I didn’t have it framed like the model in the store because I felt it was too much green.  My fabric is a darker green than theirs, and I am not a fan of green.  So I went with the red mat.  And then I was afraid it wouldn’t match the stitching, but I really like it.  The frame was my first choice.  I didn’t even look at any others and I think it is perfect.   So now to find a temporary hanging place for it.  Just for a while so I can enjoy it a bit.  So sweet.

I am still waiting for threads for the Mystery Sampler.  My LNS says they are on back-order from the manufacturer, so no telling when I will get them.  However, a very sweet gal on the sampler group has offered to send me 3 skeins that she has as she is undecided about her sampler.  Stitcher’s are such sweet people ❤  While waiting on threads,  I have been working on Ella.  Here is where I left her last night:

ella-progress-1

Not too much added since my last post, but every stitch counts, right?  The empty area in the dress is getting smaller, so I am excited about that.  Once I finish the bottom of the dress, I will have to move the scrolls up and work from the middle up.  But that will be a lot less stitching than the bottom.  This photo also represents my fabric perfectly, as it is a beautiful sunny day with 60 degrees!   It is 16ct Aida Pandora from Hand Dyed Fabrics by Stephanie.

I also started my Temperature blanket the other day.  What is a temperature blanket you ask?  Well, it is a blanket that is crocheted or knitted, with each row based on the high temperature of where you live.  So I found this color scheme on-line and tweaked it a bit for my blanket:

img_3232-2

I ordered my yarn from LoveKnitting and if finally arrived on Thursday.  I am using Stlyecraft DK instead of worsted weight.  Here is my start:

temp-blanket-start-1

I am using a G hook and chained 250 stitches.  I decided to do my blanket 3dc, sk 2. Then do 3dc in the skip 2 space of the previous row.  Today, while in the car, I noticed my blanket is bowing and my ends are not even.  I should have started with maybe an I hook and then switched down to a G after my foundation row.  I will have to brush up on my chaining on the ends and where to stick my hook for the first stitch.  So today I will be ripping this out and starting over.  I will probably be doing a different stitch, too.  Something where I can make sure I have the right amount of stitches every row.  My crochet skills are still not very well without a specific pattern and some visual tutorials, so I will be sure to have all that when I re-start.  It will be a fun blanket to stitch on every day or do a couple of rows once a week, based on the high temps.  If you are wanting to get started on your own Temperature blanket, you can knit or crochet, whatever pattern you want, whatever yarn and color scheme you want.  I do believe that Lion Brand also has some info on their website.  For the high temperatures, there is a website called weatherunderground.com that you can get the history of high temps in your area.

So, what are your needles creating today?

I HAVE RUN OUT OF THREAD!
Elegant Ladies · Mirabilia · Sampler

I HAVE RUN OUT OF THREAD!

My Time Stitching29 Comments

Well, that one skein of London Fog variegated thread didn’t take long to use up.  I finished page 1 of the first section and now have to put this project aside and wait for the other 28 skeins that I ordered, to come in.  Here is where I left off:

mystery-sampler

I am really loving this project and I am not happy that I have to put it aside for now.  Here is a close up so you can see what the colors are in the London Fog by Sullivans floss:

mystery-sampler-close-up

So while I wait for my LNS to call me and tell me my threads are in, I have picked up Ella, The Frog Princess and will stitch on her until I get my threads.

ella-picked-up-again

 I stitched on her a little bit last night, but looking at all that yellow makes me feel I will never get it done.  But today I am thinking that every stitch I put into her is one stitch closer to a finish, right?  So tonight I am hoping to put many stitches into her.

Is there a particular color of thread or yarn that you hate stitching?

She is Pink and She is Finished!
cross stitch · Elegant Ladies · Fabric · Hand Dyed Fabrics · Nora Corbett · Pixie · Romanitc · Uncategorized

She is Pink and She is Finished!

My Time Stitching29 Comments

Queen Annes Lace 1

Isn’t she a beauty!  I finished her last night and couldn’t be more happier with her.  She is Queen Anne’s Lace by Nora Corbett.  She is featured in the current issue of Just Cross Stitch magazine and is a FREE download on their site.  I stitched her on 16ct Aida Carmel Macchiato from Hand Dyed Fabrics by Stephanie.  And while the stitching above is more true to the colors, the fabric is a bit washed out.  Below is a better picture of the fabric.

Queen Annes Lace finish

This picture was taken last night after I finished her.  The first photo I took this morning in natural light.  What a difference.  But I am so excited to have her finished and can’t wait to get her in to be framed.  I am thinking something silver, to match my new craft room (which I love, by the way).  So I stitched a little bit more on Ella last night after finishing Pixie Anne, and here is where I am with her:

IMG_0816 (2)

She is coming along, but I am afraid that something else has caught my eye (as if we didn’t think that would happen, sheesh!)

IMG_0790 (2)

I was going to wait until this Stitch Along was finished before investing in all the materials and the patterns, but I saw someone on the Wherefore Art Thou Facebook Group stitching it in pink, and that was all she wrote!  The colors looked so lovely on her fabric.  And I knew I had some kind of pink fabric in my stash.  So while out last weekend, I just happen to run into the patterns and couldn’t resist!  And I am going to stitch it in all the specialty hand dyed threads instead of DMC.  As you can see, I picked up sections 1 and 2.  Section 3 will be released on March 31, in Italy, where Nora Corbett will be attending the Casa Cenina shop.  They are probably having a big party to celebrate the beauty who will come to life when the stitching is finished.  Can you guess who it will be?  Once I returned home with pattern and threads, I began the search for the perfect pink fabric.  I had only one that I thought would compliment the lovely floss colors.  Here is my floss toss.  What do you think?

IMG_0810 (2)

The fabric is 16ct Aida Pink Impatiens by Silkweaver.  The recommended fabrics are Chocolate Milk and a Gray linen.  With all the rich dark colors, I think it needs a lighter, prettier color fabric.  I am so excited.  I think I may be starting it this weekend if not tonight.  I will be sure to post photos of my start.  What new project are you looking forward to starting or what project are you enjoying at the moment?

Knit, Frog, Knit, Frog…
cross stitch · Elegant Ladies · Knitted Shawl · Knitting · Mirabilia · Uncategorized

Knit, Frog, Knit, Frog…

My Time Stitching24 Comments

So, over the last couple of weeks, I have started this shawl about 12 times now and knitted back I don’t know how many rows.  I am at the end of my last nerve with this pattern.  Here is what I have knitted back on the needles and have completed row 17.

IMG_0756 (2)

It is such a cute shawl, featured in the Creative Knitting magazine Wraps, Capelets & Cowls.  Looking at my knitting and the pattern, I don’t think I am doing it right, but can’t for the life of me, figure out what I am doing wrong.  It is just a bunch of yarn overs and K2tog and Make 1 stitches.  And I am afraid to go any further for fear of not coming up with the correct number of stitches at the end of the row…again.  The pattern is Roman Stripe, which I have never done before, but doesn’t seem to be difficult.  In fact, the pattern says it is for “A Confident Beginner” giving it a ease 2 rating out of 6.  I have been knitting for about 30 years, so I think I am beyond a confident beginner, but just can’t figure this one out. If anyone knows this pattern and can tell what I am doing wrong, I would greatly appreciate it.  On a side note…I LOVE the Addi Turbo needles!!  They glide so nicely and may just be my new favorite needles.  I give them an A+ rating.

In between knitting on this and waiting for threads and beads for Pixie Anne, I have picked Ella up again.  Here is where I left off last night:

IMG_0759 (2)

She still has a lot of yellow, but it is so much more relaxing than knitting on that shawl!  I am also still working on my craft room; adding things and organizing my supplies.  Having fun 🙂

So, have you ever just scrapped a project because it wasn’t coming out like you wanted or had been working on it too long and decided enough was enough?  I have done it once, and am seriously thinking about doing it again with this knitting project.

Birthday Surprises and Ella Update
cross stitch · Elegant Ladies · Hand Dyed Fabrics · Mirabilia · New stash! · Stitchy Gifts · Uncategorized · WIP

Birthday Surprises and Ella Update

My Time Stitching23 Comments

So last weekend was my birthday and hubby spoiled me with a weekend get-away and some fun shopping.  He also surprised me with a techy gift.  Did you notice my new blog address??  I’m a dot com now!  and I have my own email address attached to my blog so if you ever want to drop me a note, you can at ginny@mytimestitching.com

I received a couple of stitchy gifts for my birthday.  I received these from my VBSF (Very Best Stitchy Friend):

Stitchy birthday gift

Johanna knows I LOVE tea pots and tea cups.  It is so perfect.  If I had a needle, scissors and a hoop on my getaway, I would have already started this cute stitch. This will look lovely in my kitchen one day.  And the beautiful pendant she made from clay. This photo really doesn’t do this piece justice.  It is really gorgeous in person.   She is so talented.  Thank you so much, Johanna.

I received a surprise package all the way from Singapore from a dear blogging friend, Angela.

Stitchy gift from Angela

A beautiful stitch kit that will be perfect in my new craft room (coming this Spring).  It says DREAM, sorry I covered that up with the cute little scissors.  And a bag full of buttons and charms.  I can’t wait to use them in my crafting.  Thank you for thinking of me, Angela.

And now my update on Ella, the Frog Princess:

Ella update

I feel she is going so slow.  I have been working on her for about 4 weeks now and this is only the middle of the dress layers. I guess I have my wish to stitch on a lady with a big dress 😉  This is definitely a Big Yellow Dress.  I hope to have much more done the next time I update her.  In case you are viewing her for the first time, she is Ella, the Frog Princess by Mirabila.  I am stitching her on Pandora 16ct Aida from Hand Dyed Fabrics by Stephanie.

So, are you working on a project that just seems to be slowly getting done?

Finished Stitching for Christmas
cross stitch · Elegant Ladies · Hand Dyed Fabrics · Mirabilia · Passione Ricamo · Queen · Stitchy Gifts · Uncategorized · Winter

Finished Stitching for Christmas

My Time Stitching20 Comments

Well, we are down to the final 2 days before Christmas.  I finished stitching my last Christmas gift this week, but it will have to wait for a finish as the hornbooks I ordered have not come in.

Winter Whisper 2

This is my 2nd Winter Whisper.  It is a gift for my Mom.  It is stitched on 16ct Aida Ice Goddess by Stephanie.  This fabric turned out a little darker, but she still looks beautiful on it.  I will turn it into a flat ornament (kind of)  and have it all ready to mount onto the hornbook when I get it in.

Speaking of Whisper Winter, I wanted to thank everyone who voted for my piece.  With all of the votes and the decision of the designer and her assistant, I was awarded 3rd place.  I am just thrilled.

IMG_0290 (2)

And here is my wonderful prize package sent all the way from Italy by Laura from Passione Ricamo.

prize package

I received a beautiful piece of blue 30ct linen.  I have never stitched on 30ct, but may give it a try.  Some beautiful post cards with Laura’s beautiful artwork on them.  A package of 25 skeins of floss and a pattern of my choice.  I chose The Night as it has been on my wish list for quite some time.  I love all of my goodies. Thank you again to everyone who voted for me.

I also finished stitching another piece this month.  It is the Raven Queen by Mirabilia.

IMG_0283 (2)

She is stitched on 16ct Aida Twixt N Tween by Stephanie.  I LOVE how she turned out on this fabric.  Like there is an awesome sunset behind her.

IMG_0284 (2)

A few nights ago I started stitching the train on the Gingerbread Village by Country Cottage Needleworks, but ended up ripping it out last night.  I had about half of the middle train car done when I realized that the white stitching really doesn’t show up well on the Lambswool fabric.  I was stitching on 16ct Aida, but after talking with my LNS this morning, the Lambswool Linen (which the pattern calls for) is not any darker than the Aida.  So I ordered some Dirty Aida for both the Gingerbread Village and the Santa’s Village.  I want my white to show up, especially since there is so much.  It seems that several of CCN patters are on the Lambswool which doesn’t make any sense to me.  Not a good match to me.  So I will work on Mirabilia’s Moon Flowers until the end of the year.

I want to wish those of  you that celebrate, a very Merry Christmas with your family and friends.  Happy Holidays to those who have a different celebration.  And I hope that you get some relaxing stitch time in for yourself 🙂

Voting is Open!
Contest · Craft projects · cross stitch · Elegant Ladies · Passione Ricamo · Uncategorized · Winter

Voting is Open!

My Time Stitching17 Comments

Voting is open to the public until December 9, 2015 for the Winter Whisper Contest.  There are many beautiful entries and 2 categories for voting.  When you click on the link that I give you at the bottom of this post, there will be 2 categories in which to vote at the top of the page in blue.  1. For the best stitching and 2. For the Best finish.  There will be a circle next to each person’s name.  Click on the circle to cast your vote and scroll to the bottom of the page to submit.  Make sure to vote in both categories.  My finish is below.  If you like it, vote for mine under Ginny Schleich. Good luck to all the participants!

http://www.passionericamo.eu/contestpagestitchers.htm

Winter Whisper horn book

 

A Sweet Little Finish
Craft projects · cross stitch · Elegant Ladies · Hand Dyed Fabrics · Passione Ricamo · Winter

A Sweet Little Finish

My Time Stitching17 Comments

Happy December!  Can you believe it’s here already?  Now the rush begins.  I am trying not to let it all overwhelm me.  I have a small finish to share with you today.  And the falling snow which has now appeared on my blog, will be perfect with this piece.

Finished Winter Whisper

This is a design called Winter Whisper by Passione Ricamo.  It is a contest piece.  I had 2 weeks to stitch this beauty onto a shade of blue fabric.  I chose 16ct Aida Ice Goddess by Hand Dyed Fabrics by Stephanie.  It turned out to be perfect for my piece.  Threads and beads could not be changed, so she is stitched as the pattern suggests.  The finish was my choice.  It took me a few days to get up the courage to cut the fabric.I found a great tutorial for making ornaments at The Twisted Stitcher, which really helped me out.   I mounted her on a piece of mount board with some batting underneath.  On another piece of mount board, I added batting and a piece of snowflake fabric.  I then sandwiched the 2 pieces together.  Then I added some trim around the edges.  My choice of finish for her was to mount her onto a Horn book.  First I stamped some snowflakes with white ink all over the edges of a black Horn Book.

Copy of Winter Whisper 1_small

I created a bow from Seam Binding and attached it to the handle with my glue gun and added a snowflake looking jewel to the center.  I am so pleased with my finished piece.  She is so beautiful and Sparkly.  She is called Winter Whisper, but to me, she is my Winter Princess. So beautiful and elegant.

WIN_20151127_161452 (2)

She will look great hanging in my dining room, which will soon be my snowflake room for the holidays and winter.

What is your favorite way to finish a small project?