Houses of Hawk Run Hallow

I really really really want to stitch the Houses of Hawk Run Hallow by CHS. (Actually, I want to stitch the entire series.) But, I'm a broke newlywed. ;-) My mother mentioned once something about marrying for money first and then marrying for love, but I wasn't listening.

Not that she did that either, Dad was pretty broke when they first married. Grampa sent them money for winter coats one year, and Mom ended up buying a dog instead, so I figure money wasn't too important to her either. ;-)

Anyway, I've seen various HRH's done in the NPI silks called for, but they're out of my price range. Gorgeous, of course, but I'm pretty sure my new husband would murder me in my sleep if I spent $218 on thread. And, to be honest, DMC isn't my favorite. Some of the dyes feel weird in my hands. It's probably psychological, but I can't help that. So, I'm putting a question out there. Has anyone ever used some silk and some DMC in the same project? How weird would that look? Obivously I'd use all of one or the other for each color, but overall can you tell a difference when you're looking at it?

Or, is there another, cheaper solution to NPI?

Frogging

I've been thinking about frogging. I had knitting and cross stitch that all required extensive removal. I had been working on Little House Needlework's Lavender's Blue onver one, but hated it, and realized it should be over two. I completely screwed up on Plum Street Sampler's The Queen's Sampler - Elizabeth I. Apparently counting is NOT a strong suit. I even managed to mess up on a project from Just Cross Stitch (I can't remember the name for the life of me.) I also was taking a motif from the Sarah Moon sampler to turn into a pincushion for my sister in law, but I used a bad thread. I used Soy Luster on a 40 count fabric, and it's just too thick. And last, but not least, I hated the edges on both scarves I have on needles. They were ratty and gross. I needed to re cast them on with an extra stitch so I could slip the first of each row.

It was to the point that when I finally got home last night, I didn't want to sew on anything. I didn't want to knit, purl, or put in an Algerian eyelet. (Actually, it was French knots, and I really hate French knots, so that probably doesn't count.)

So, I frogged it all! I spent all evening frogging my knitting, and picking fuzz off of my linen. I rewound my yarn, and put my stitch markers away. (I also realized that I have only one needle minder, and that is NOT enough.)

I have NOTHING to show for all those hours and hours of work, but I feel REALLY good about it. I cringe a little when I think of the wasted silk, but oh well. It's kind of like starting all over again. I get to sort out which project I want to work on first, and shop from the little stash by my chair.

That said, I will probably start on something entirely new tonight, just to be contrary. I'm thinking Tracy Horner's The Huddle. Unless her Fleur d'Orleans comes in the mail today. (It probably won't, but I can hope.) I'd start that first. DH and I were married in New Orleans (where I was born), and we're starting a Fleur de lis wall. My first piece on the wall is a needlepoint project my mother did for us. It's in my wedding colors of purple and cream, with our "monogram" of a fleur de lis over a Texas star. So pretty. I cry fairly often when I look at it, I just love it so much. (That part sort of terrifies my husband. LOL)

Anyway, so I won't have pictures for a while. It's a little weird feeling, not having anything on needles or on linen at the moment. (I'm NOT counting anything in the UFO pile, because I usually don't admit to their existence.)

Stitching Bloggers Question

Lee from Lake Stitcher has posted this question on her blog. I've actually thought about this a lot in my life...

Suppose we say that there are two types of stitchers.

There are those who enjoy the “process” of stitching. They stitch for stitching’s sake and if something gets finished, so much the better, but it’s not necessarily the end goal. Primarily, it’s the application of needle and thread to cloth that makes them happiest.

Then there are those who are “project” stitchers. They move steadily through their projects, certainly enjoying their stitching time, but finding their greatest joy in the completed stitching.

If you had to pick one to describe yourself, which type of stitcher would you be? I imagine that we could all say that we fall somewhere in between, but really think hard about this and try to pick just one. And once you’ve decided whether you’re a Process or Project stitcher, tell us if your recognize that approach in other parts of your life.

I am a process person. Whether it comes to knitting, stitching, or even my attempts at quilting, what I enjoy is the act of making something, not the finished piece itself. I give you this example. I have often talked about how I really enjoyed stitching Blackbird Designs's Easter Parade. And I did, I thoroughly enjoyed the stitching of the basket, and the bunny. Well, imagine my surprise when I ran across my work the other day and saw that I never finished the bunny. Apparently I didn't enjoy stitching the border. That said, I'm not concerned that I didn't finish it. I will probably get back to it eventually. But, I still find it to be one of my favorite things that I've stitched. With my knitting, it's the same. I have 3 projects on needles, and they're all destined to be VERY long scarves. I love each stitch I make, I love the feel of the yarn under my fingers, and the click of my needles. I even love winding the ball when I begin. I will probably finish these scarves, but I'm not concerned if it takes me three years to actually get to it. I'm having fun after all. :)

New Stash

The mailman has brought me an embarressment of riches this week. In addition to my great swap from Becca, and Cathi's perfect scissor fob, I also got some new stash! I ordered Tracy Horner's (of Ink Circles) the Huddle kit, which I fully intend to make into Christmas ornaments for everyone in the family. Well, almost everyone. I just can't wait to get started!

In addition, I finished stitching what will become a pin cushion for my grandmother. It's Blackbird Design's Bluebird, but a little modified. I wanted it to be a little bit shorter, and I added an extra letter, J for my grandmother. The C is for me! :)

I stitched this on 40ct something over one, using Soy Luster's Soy Silk Shadows in Bayou. I love Soy Luster, it feels sooo good. :)

Swap from Australia

I received my package from Becca in Australia yesterday! She sent some gorgeous yarn, a book I can't wait to read, a beautiful book on Australian wildlife, 3 Violet Crumbles, and a wonderful bracelet. The color of the yarn doesn't show too well in my photos. It's a rich purple, but one with a lot of red in it. She hand dyed it herself, and I think the color is wonderful. I can't WAIT to stitch it up. Becca also sent me a pattern and the needles for a scarf to make with it, and although it's a bit beyond me, I'm ready to give it a try. I spent a long time last night fondling the yarn, it's just so yummy. :)

I don't know why this ended up looking so blue, but you can see how generous Becca is!

This is the yarn that Becca hand dyed, this doesn't show how deep the color truly is, but I'm really excited to start knitting it up!

This is a closeup of the bracelet that Becca made and sent to me. When it's on, the white beads end up looking a like bits of coral. It's so pretty and feminine. I just LOVE it!!!!!

Duke thought that the package was for him. I think he has designs on my Violet Crumbles!

Plum Street Samplers

Paulette at Plum Street Samplers is starting a new blog (yay!) and to celebrate is having a giveaway! You should head over there now. ;)

If you haven't checked out Paulette's blog, you really should. It's always engaging, and full of gorgeous photos. Of course, I adore stitching her designs. I'm currently working on her The Queen's Sampler - Elizabeth I, which is a joy to stitch. I haven't done anything except the words, and as soon as I have something a little more interesting to show, you can be sure there will be pictures.

Bored At Work

Just for fun

One Word, No Explanation

You.
Can.
Only.
Type.
One.
Word.
No.
Explanations.

Not as easy as you might think...

1. Yourself: A-
2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend husband: husband
3. Your hair: brown
4. Your mother/stepmother: artist
5. Your dog: feline
6. Your favorite item: ring
7. Your dream last night: family
8. Your favorite drink: dietcoke
9. Your dream car: sexy
10. The room you are in: office
12. Your fear: burning
13. What you want to be in 10 years: mother
14. Who you hung out with last night: Lisa
15. What you’re not: organized
16. Muffin: cinnamon
17. One of your wish list items: maid
18. Time: afternoon
19. The last thing you did: payroll
20. What you are wearing: pants
21. Your favorite weather: cold
22. Your favorite book: history
23. The last thing you ate: popcorn
24. Your life: frantic
25. Your mood: detatched
26. Your best friend(S): far
27. What are you thinking about right now? sleep
28. Your car: husband's
29. What are you doing at the moment? listening
30. Your summer: hot
31. Your relationship status: newlywed
32. What is on your TV? NBC 5
33. What is the weather like?: gorgeous
34. When is the last time you laughed?: morning

taken from Crafting with the Stitch Witch