Kaffe Needlepoint

Looking through my blog labels I see I had something called Needlework Tuesday. So here is my current work in progress. This is an 18" square needlepoint that I'll turn into a cushion when I'm done.

It's actually coming together rather quickly. I started rewatching Game of Thrones before the final season came out and this was a perfect project for binging. Now that the completely disappointing finale has aired, I've abandoned my plan to watch the whole thing so I'll need to find a new show I can "half-watch" as my eyes stay mostly on the work.

I love the colors in this. Bright and clear, like Kaffe Fassett's fabrics. The kit is available from the Ehrman needlepoint website here.

Needlework Tuesday: Turkey Candle Mat

I started on this little project today.  I can't believe how long I spent fussing around with the feathers to try to get them "perfect."  I moved them each a million times.  Sort of silly how obsessed I can get with something like this. 

Right now I think they look like leaves, or peacocks, or flowers.  After I finish stitching them down I'll add some embroidery faces and feet and they'll look much more like turkeys.

All of the Halloween decorations are finally packed away and the house is enjoying a little breather until Christmas.  I clearly need to make some Thanksgiving quilts...

Needlework Tuesday: Crochet Owl

Isn't this little guy cute?  He was a quick little project while I was watching a movie one evening.  I think it took me longer to find matching buttons for the eyes than it did to create the rest of him.

You can find the pattern at The Original Bizzy Crochet.  Instructions include two different sizes and they work up fast.  Great way to use up leftover yarn.

He's hanging out right now next to my one of my Halloween cross stitch pieces.  The kids got this awful toy rat that runs around the floor and scares the cats. I put it on the shelf so I don't keep stepping on it.

Linking up today with Needlework Tuesday at Books and Quilts.

The Harry Potter block I'm sharing today is for the fans of the books.  It's the jar that holds Hermione's blue flame.

I liked the jar pattern, and I had extra room in the block, so I added a jar that's holding a bug - Rita Skeeter.  I also found fabric in my stash that has radishes on it so that became a book spine in honor of Luna Lovegood, who wore handmade radish earrings.

Spiderweb Table Mat

I've already confessed that I'm fidgety when I watch television.  It's hard for me to just sit, so I do a lot of crochet.  This was another simple project that I did this week.  It worked up pretty quickly.  For now, It's at the center of the table holding my napkins (which have their own spiderweb holder) and my mummy salt and pepper.  I was never going to be one of those people who bought silly salt and pepper shakers, but these were on sale after one Halloween and my resistance was low.  When I throw my big Halloween party at the end of the month this table mat will work well under a big bowl of something.

If you want to make your own - I promise it's a quick project! - you can find the free pattern at Red Heart Yarn.  A smaller version would make a cute potholder.

Next up for the Project of Doom blocks for October: Butterbeer!  Another one that was a lot of fun to make.

Of course, Drama Girl was concerned that the frothy beer would damage the books.  I'm sure there's some spell to clean that up.

Linking up today with Heather at Books and Quilts for Needlework Tuesday.

Needlework Tuesday: Monster Movie blanket

This is one of my current works in progress.  I made a small version of this for a friend's baby that's on the way and as soon as I finished I started this one.  It's a great mindless project to work on while I watch something on television after dinner.  It's also helping me reduce my big box of scraps yarn.

October is the month I like to watch old monster movies.  And just lighter movies with a Halloweenish theme.  One of my favorites is Blithe Spirit from 1945.

Rex Harrison is charming in this Noel Coward ghost story.

Of course, The Fly from 1958 features an undeniably sexy Vincent Price.  Few men can pull off a dressing gown in this wild color, but he does.

Day 6 of my Harry Potter Project of Doom quilt.  This is one of my favorite blocks - a venomous tentacula.

I like the way this one turned out. 

Linking up today with Heather at Books and Quilts.

Needlework Tuesday: Autumn Wreath Needlepoint

I've been making very slow progress on this one.  I love needlepoint, but I keep picking up other projects first.  I have no hope that this will be done this year, but maybe next year.  Every stitch gets me closer, and the reality is that I enjoy the journey more than the finished product.  I'm ashamed to say I have some lovely needlepoint pieces that are finished but haven't been framed or made into pillows.

This one will have a lot of backstitch to make the details pop.  I usually do that all at the end. For now you can see the leaves and berries, bow and birds and a couple of pumpkins.  It really is lovely Fall colors.  If nothing else, it's fun to work on it during this time of year.

Do you rotate projects seasonally?  It's one thing I do to keep big projects going without burning out.  It's always fun to open up my Fall box and see what projects are waiting for me.

Linking up today with Heather at Books and Quilts.

Books and Quilts

Needlework Tuesday: A Little Portlandia

This little blanket is going off to a very small person who could use a little blanket. Since I was watching Portlandia while I was making it, I will always think of it as my Portlandia blanket.  I hope the recipient likes the goofy scrappy look.

Hestia doesn't want me to put my basket of yarn away yet, so I started another blanket with the same design.  We'll see how big this gets.  Still watching Portlandia, so I guess this one will be called Portlandia II.

Needlework Tuesday: California Snow

We don't get snow around here, but for some reason all of my current projects have snow on them.  Here are the first two months of Santa's Village done.  There are buttons and beads and French knots that will go on later.

Here is my wool banner for January.  The original pattern had a dark shawl but I thought that was too drab so I gave her a pinkish one.  I have no idea why she has ice skates.  Or feet for that matter.

For some reason I just got the urge to make this snow bear after I saw the pattern on Pinterest.  I think I needed a break from my usual embroidery and quilting.  Looking at his hat, I think it could use a pom pom.

Needlework Tuesday is hosted by Heather at Books and Quilts.

Needlework Tuesday: Santa's (Invisible) House

Here is my progress on the first of 12 Christmas houses I'll be working on this year.  Guess which color was backordered?  I just got the hazelnut for the house so I'll start on that today.  Then I'll get started on the next one, which connects up just to the right.  At the end of the year, if I keep up, it will be a village of 3 rows of 4 houses each.  The pattern is by Country Cottage Needleworks.

Christmas at our house is all packed up.  I just have a mug full of leftover candy canes on the counter.  I also need to list out all the Christmas cards we received so I make sure to include everybody next year.

I haven't started decorating for Valentine's Day yet, even though the stores are full of stuff and I have quilts and decorations I can get out.  The house looks absolutely empty.  It needs to breathe and rest a little after the long string of holidays.

The kids are finally back at school.  Drama Girl is all signed up for her SAT test in a few weeks.  I'm still in complete denial that all this is happening.  She did well on her PSAT and there are many chances to retake the SAT if she wants to improve her score.

Saw "Les Miserables" with the family over the break.  I think it's one of those 'love it or hate it' type films.  I absolutely loved it.  Worth the admission and the long length just to see Anne Hathaway.  Have you seen it?

Needlework Tuesday is hosted by Heather at Books and Quilts.  Be sure to visit today and see her wonderful triangle block tutorial.

My caldron is ready

I got my caldron cross stitch back from the framers.  I like how it turned out.

Lots of beads for eyes.  Special stitches for the bugs.

Dead fish, scorpions, a sickly green brew.  I love the way the hand-dyed floss colors worked out.

The dark purple swirls in the caldron are a little hard to see against the charcoal color.  I'm still happy with it and I've already moved on to my next project.  And my next holiday, for that matter.

Needlework Tuesday: Downton's Done

This is a silly little piece I made on a whim.  The pattern is available for free from The Sampler Girl.  I'm going to find a little frame to put it in.  Looking at the picture up here on the screen I see a stitch I missed.  Funny how I didn't notice it in person.  I'll have to go fix that. 

The kids think we should hang it in the front entryway.  They're big fans of the show.  Have you been watching it?

The caldron is moving along.  Filling in the caldron itself is going to take me a while.  Amazing how the kids going back to school somehow leaves me with even less time than before. 

Needlework Tuesday is hosted by Heather at Books and Quilts.

Needlework Tuesday 7-24-12

Summer seems to be the time when I get a lot of hand stitching done.  It's too beautiful outside to go to my quilt cave in the garage and fire up the iron and hunch over my machine. 

So lately I've been resurrecting some projects that have been patiently waiting.  Remember this hexie project?  I've got one sample with the solid border around it in the upper right.  Finished flowers are in the upper left and I've laid out the rest of my hexies into flowers to make sure I've scattered the fabrics evenly.  They're all going into ziplock snack bags so I can start stitching them together.  Then I have to make the rest of the solid border hexies.

I found some wonderful hexie graph paper to print via Pinterest.  Find it here.  This is great for planning a quilt with odd-shaped blocks.

Have you visited my Pinterest Hexie board?  It keeps me inspired.

Needlework Tuesday is hosted by Heather at Books and Quilts.

The Needlework Continuum

It's Needlework Tuesday!  Time to show what I'm working on, progress or not.  I realized this morning that it's important for me to always have a variety of projects.

First, there's the detailed long-term epic project that's almost like brain surgery:

That's my Snow White cross stitch project.

Then there's the thread-counting project that requires concentration, but goes pretty fast if I'm not distracted:

That's my "Caldron" project.  I'm waiting for some special hand-dyed threads to come in so I can move forward on that.

Then there's the even less concentration project I can do while I watch a movie (or lately, lots of Dr. Who with Drama Girl) and talk and multi-task.  I only need to check the color chart once in a while on this, but no counting stitches:

Then there's the project for sitting outside in the sun, taking along in the car, absolutely no concentration involved at all:

A series of quilt blocks for my "Jolly Halloween" quilt I've just started.

I guess that's why I always have a lot of projects going - I'm the Goldilocks of needlework.  I always need something that's "just right."

Visit Heather at Books and Quilts for more Needlework Tuesday.

Needlework Tuesday: Caldron Part 1

My wonderful husband gave me a gift certificate to a needlework shop for my birthday.  Of course I had to go spend it right away!  I picked up a cute Halloween pattern and materials and thought I'd put it away until closer to Halloween.

Apparently I have about zero self-control when it comes to starting new projects.  I was only going to put a few stitches in but it took off.  You can't tell at the moment, but there are lots of bugs and snakes that will be whirling in the smoke.  I've just started the caldron itself.

Raise your hand if you thought it was spelled "cauldron."  I did too.  So did the lady in the shop.  Apparently either way is correct.  Maybe this is Shakespeare's original spelling. 

Needlework Tuesday is hosted by Heather at Books and Quilts.  And for once I'm remembering to include her cute graphic for the occasion.

Needlework Tuesday: Stolen moments

Lots of running around here lately.  But I've had the chance to put the final stitches in two little projects.

This was a free pattern on Glory Bee.  I think I'm going to find a small frame for it.  It also needs a small star button on the blue of the flag.  Time to search through my giant button jar.  Of course, after I spill out all million buttons and go through them I wont find exactly what I need so I'll have to go to the store and buy more buttons.  This is how these collections get out of control.

I also finished my bunnies.  I think they're pretty sweet.  Still deciding on a backing color for this one.  Possibly light blue?  I'm thinking I'll put some piping around it too.  I'm lucky my family puts up with my cuteness addiction.  This was a lot of fun to do.

Needlework Tuesday is hosted by Heather at Books and Quilts.

Needlework Tuesday: Bunnies

It's the final few weeks of school and I'm spinning around as much as the first few weeks.  So many performances and things to prepare for and attend.  Today I will hardly have a chance to sit down and I'm just not sure how or when dinner is going to happen.

Through all the trips and rehearsals, I've brought along a project or two to fill the empty moments.  Some people play Angry Birds, I stitch.  Just simple things this week;

I got this little bunny done.  Not quite in time for Easter, but I'll make it into a little something for next Easter.  Cute free pattern from Ellen Maurer-Stroh.

This next piece isn't finished yet, but it's very gratifying to work on because the stitches are huge and it's going quickly.  Apparently I like bunnies.

It's a kit from Vervaco, which is a company in Belgium.  You can find these online at some shops and on eBay.  I also do this one when I have a chance to sit outside and stitch.  Requires no counting or concentrating.  Perfect for when my brain is a little frazzled.

Needlework Tuesday is hosted by Heather at Books and Quilts.

Needlework Tuesday: Snow White and a bunny

Here is my progress on Snow White.  It's been on the sidelines for a while but I'm back at it again.

I like the way the forest is coming along.  When I'm working with it, I don't see the details as well as I do when I can step back and look from a distance. 

I can't remember if I posted the bunny I crocheted for Easter.  Here he is before I pack him away.

He's a cute little guy, but the way I stitched his nose makes him look a little sad I think.  This was a free pattern at Lion Brand Yarn.

Needlework Tuesday is hosted by Heather at Books and Quilts.

Needlework Tuesday: Which Witch's Boot

I've got a Halloween project under my needle these days.  This is a pattern by Crabapple Hill called "Which Witch's Boot?"  It's not easy to see in the picture, but this is what I needed the box of 64 crayons for.  The boot and candy and jack-o-lanterns are all colored in before stitching.

I'm using Cosmo floss, which is the new stuff everyone seems to be talking about all over the internet.  It's very silky and the variegated colors are really pretty.  I could make these buttonhole stitch flowers all day.

I don't know if this will be done by Halloween - there are a lot of pieced borders to make - but it is fun to stitch something seasonal during the actual season.  It will be fun to display next year.

Needlework Tuesday is hosted by Heather at Books and Quilts

Needlework Tuesday: Christmas Rose

Tuesdays are a good day to review works in progress around here. As usual, I have several things cluttering up the house on hand to work on.

It's time to think about ornaments for Christmas.  This is the current work in progress.  It's from one of my British cross-stitch magazines from a while back.  It's called Christmas rose - a plant that I've now learned isn't really a rose at all, and seldom blooms on Christmas.  Christmas rose is just much more romantic sounding than "Easter Hellebore" I guess.

This is the next block in my "Baltimore Christmas" sampler.  The pieces are all wool on a flannel background.  This quilt will be heavy when it's done!  These are only the next layer of pieces; there are still arms holding up trumpets and legs and shoes to add, then a lot of embroidery to fill in.  This project is epic.  I love working with this soft soft wool though.

Join Heather over at Books and Quilts for Needlework Tuesday.

Needlework Tuesday: Autumn Wreath

A lot of hours have already gone into this piece.  I love the colors, but there are a million color changes going on.  Keeps it interesting, but very slow going.

Here's the whole canvas.  I'm aiming for Autumn 2015 to get it done!  But as with most needlework projects, it's the journey that's the fun part.  I still have a stack of projects that are finished but need to be framed or made into pillows or ornaments or gifts. 

We're finally getting beautiful weather here, after an unusually cool summer here in Northern California.  One of my favorite things to do outside is read, so I'm enjoying every spare moment I can.  I've got another fun Georgette Heyer book going right now.

I'm thinking of my twins today and crossing my fingers as they both audition for the school jazz band.

If you'd like to join Needlework Tuesday, visit Heather at Books and Quilts.