to all my dear friends out there in blogger land :) It's always a good time of the week isn't it....the weekend? I think so!
I've been stitching in every spare moment I've had over the past week or so since we last visited and I thought I'd show you what I'm working on. Without further ado may I present:
"Penny America"
Designed by: Tree of Life Samplings ~ Jan Alexander
Copyright 2011
Stitched on: 40 ct. Macadamia Nut ToL Linens
Stitched with WDW as charted
I know....
I'm one of many out there that has fallen in love with "Penny America", I've seen lots of stitchers in bloggerville working on this pretty. I've even seen Faye , she of the speeding needle, finish hers up. I was lucky enough to hold Jan's model in my hands in June and I can't wait until mine is all stitched and hanging on my walls. It is gorgeous! And if any of you out there are holding out...break open that purse and get it! It is stunning!
Now....
to my needle story: I started cross-stitching when I was 15 years old. I was gifted with two small Dimension Kits by my stepmother while visiting my Dad all those years ago. I stitched those little kits up and was hooked. I went to college and my stitching time was over...but after I graduated 4 years later, back to stitching I went with a passion. By that time, I was introduced to patterns (not kits) by co-workers, and my quest was to own every color of DMC....ahhhh....the good 'ol days!
Stitching....
is my one and true love. When I was 26 I married my husband and when we moved into our new home and he was carrying in box after box after box of crafts he told me that I needed to "...pick one craft because it is better to be a 'master of one' than a dabbler of many..." or something to that extent. So I donated all my extra craft stuff and chose stitching. I stitched away until babies came....then I stitched but typically only yearly Christmas ornaments for my children. With the birth of our last baby (sweet Ellie) out came all my cross stitching stuff and again began my obsession in earnest!
I've always....
loved my stitching, but I've had a secret desire to quilt. But alas that darn "one craft rule". So I never have tried it....and lately I've been thinking about Needlepoint...hey (!) that fits the "one craft rule" category! You know I look at Coni's Blog , also a fellow Hoosier...and I dreamt of needlepoint - even e-mailed her about it around a year ago. But dream no more because this week, I walked right into my LNS where I've seen these gorgeous needlepoint quilt tops and I kitted up a pattern. May I present my very first Needlepoint adventure:
"Amish Trip Around the World Quilt"
Designer: From Nancy's Needle ~ Nancy Buhl
Stitched on #18 Canvas
Stitched with: Caron Watercolors and DMC #5 Pearle Cottons
Now...
of course this isn't complete yet...but I tell you what, my LNS owner gave me a little instruction and off I went with my goodies in the bag racing home to assemble my stretcher bars and tack in my canvas with Japanese tacks...who knew?! how much fun it would be to learn something new! I read what I could on my very complete pattern and went to town. I think, my dear readers, that I am in love! What is so soothing about needlepoint is that its a different texture, different look than cross-stitch. It will be nice to intersperse these needle point adventures with my cross stitch adventures for a change. Plus there are tons of quilt tops designed by Nancy's Needle and I plan on picking some more projects out soon! I get to quilt with my needle and thread :) And probably finish a quilt top a whole heck of a lot faster than a real quilt top. I won't be keeping myself warm in bed, but I'll be keeping my walls warmed up and cozy in my home!!
But...
the best thing is, that my needle story always has a happy ending and I'm pretty proud of my hobby and my ability that I have with my needle. It brings me joy, soothes my soul and give me such a feeling of satisfaction!
So...
until next time I'll be stitching away keeping "my hands at work and heart to God", just like always! Join in with me!
Hugs and love,
Only one craft at a time? Yikes! I quilt and stitch, but there are never enough hours in a day.
ReplyDeletePlease DO NOT let your husband talk to my husband. LOL! Good for you, trying something new is always fun. Its even better when you end up liking what you try. Plus I've always been of the opinion what they don't know, don't hurt 'em :0)
ReplyDeleteI've done needlepoint too - I still prefer cross stitch but sometimes it is good to mix in a little needlepoint!
ReplyDeleteI have taken up quilting (though I'm not very good at it) but the hubby said a big fat NO to scrapbooking! He said I had enough craft stuff already! :)
Your Penny America is looking great - I might just have to have that one for my guest room.
Have a great weekend!
I think they both fall into the same category. I love the colors in this one.
ReplyDeletelove your Penny America so far. I fell in love too and bought the whole thing kitted up. lol! One craft -- no way. I'm glad you've started another. :D Needlepoint is so pretty, right? I'm looking forward to watching your progress. As for me, I'm one craft, but I buy stash for at least two. lol! And hopefully I'll get back to quilting sometime.
ReplyDeleteLove your new counted needlepoint start Vonna! Makes me want to dig out the one I have all kitted up and start it but I won't cuz I have already been bad once this week!
ReplyDeletePenny America is so cute. It's in my someday pile too!
Have a great weekend!
Wow - if you were a quilter, I can't even imagine the beautiful things you would sew. All your work is inspiring. Love to visit your blog.
ReplyDeleteLove your needlepoint, very nice you would never know it was your first. I do sewing and cross stitch. Sometimes I sew a piece with my cross stitch so now I can count it as one craft.
ReplyDeleteTeresa's Heartfelt Stitches
You know they are all counted thread. Could still be only one craft. Then you could move to needlecraft and include quilting as well.
ReplyDeleteGlad my husband doesn't know that rule. Your counted thread work is beautiful. I enjoy your blog as always.
We are trying to batten down on the east coast.
That's what it's all about - having a hobby that you enjoy and one that gives you pleasure! I'm so excited you "branched out" and started needlepoint. It's something I have never done but I have seen some very beautiful things. Have fun and let us see your progress!!
ReplyDeleteThe one craft is "Needlework". That covers a lot of ground. :-)
ReplyDeleteVonna --
ReplyDeleteLove your Penny America. I just bought it at my LNS this morning and can't wait until I can start it.
Wonderful story about your stitching journey and I think it's great that you combined your love of quilts and your desire to do another needle craft. KUDOS to you:)))
Have a great weekend. Always good to read a post from you:)))
I have tried my hand at needlepoint too. I bought this small one and completed it a few years ago. http://ndmurdock.multiply.com/photos/album/105/2009_Finishes#photo=27. I just love all the quilt designs too because my mom loves to quilt. Yours looks very pretty with those colors.
ReplyDeleteLove your needle story! Great starts on Penny America and your needlepoint quilt.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend!
Robin in Virginia
Vonna I have ALWAYS drooled over your work and now you have added something new? Maybe I should try needlepoint too.
ReplyDeleteYou have inspired me. (Don't tell the Masterchief)
Penny America is just adorable, I wish it had come out in May! Oh well, it will be ready for next year.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice story. It's always nice to do something new, and they are not really the same craft at all. We won't tell him though!! I love your little quilt top. It has wonderful colors. Are you doing it all in satin stitches?
ReplyDeleteLovely start on Penny America...it's going to be a beauty.
ReplyDeleteUmm, a "one craft" rule??? Well, needlework is my craft...and they are all needleworks, so that means I can do them all...right??!! I force myself to stick with cross stitch too, with a little baby/lap quilting on the side, LOL! Darn those silly rules...
What a great choice for your first needlepoint design! Anything with the word "Amish" is wonderful in my book. Looking forward to seeing your progress on this design!
ReplyDeleteI love Penny America -
ReplyDeleteThat one is going on my wishlist
I can't wait to see your finish !!!
If you like needlepoint quilt patterns, be sure to check out the ones by Laura J Perin--you'll love them! I've got the chart and beads for her Red, White, and Blue long panel, I plan to have it kitted up in time to start it on 9-11 as a memorial project.
ReplyDeleteConi has been pushing my buttons to take up some of my needlepoint projects again. They are fun for a change. I really loved Coni's Aquamarine, and I am loving your quilt top.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I'm so excited for you on your new adventure into needlepoint! My good stitching friend bought me the Amish Trip Around The World chart a couple of christmasses ago and sent it to me all kitted up ready to go, but I've been too scared to start it.... Maybe after seeing your's I'll be braver.
ReplyDeleteLovely to read your needle story! Great starts on Penny America and your needlepoint quilt. The weekend is definitely the best - if only they were longer.
ReplyDeleteLOVE ALL YOUR STITCHING.
ReplyDeleteI have tried many many crafts but still love my cross stitch its number 1 for me. And i like to stitch many different designs and i love to give away lots of my stitching just to see the faces of my friends who love their gifts.
Nice WIPs!! My husband has always been pretty good about my creative endeavors. I do get a bit of grief about the amount of money I put into rubber stamping. We won't talk about the Beanie Baby collecting comments, though that isn't creative, it's just obsessive--and it was for the kids--but still. Ahem. Luckily he has golf so we turn mostly a blind eye to each other's obsessions out of a mutual understanding. LOL
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing more of your needlepoint!
I'm not a single crafter either but I have limited my interests to things with needles. I'm not a needlepointer but I do avidly follow Coni's blog. She's very talented and is a gifted writer.
ReplyDeleteYour WIPs are so pretty! I, too, love quilts, and still think maybe one day... and also have a collection of cross stitch quilts that I have yet to stitch. Today's needlepoint looks a little different than the one I tried back in the long-ago high school home ec class...Thanks for sharing your stitcher's story!
ReplyDeleteI fell in love with Penny America the first time I saw it. I'd love to stitch it for my sister who lives in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteOh Vonna, your needlepoint is gorgeous!! I checked out some of the other quilts and I love the Autumn Leaves too. I've thought a lot about needlepoint and also quilting since we have a quilt store here in our village but I just don't think I have enough resources to spend on another hobby. For now I'll just admire all the lovely needlepoint and quilts of my friends.
I've dabbled in a lot of crafts and the DH has been a very patient man over the last 32 years with my creativity. My first love is cross stitch and it always will be, followed by decorative painting. I would love to quilt (making a quilt is on the ol' bucket list) but I am sewing challenged. I tried scrapbooking and I like it but I'm not going to take on another thing! That might change once the grandbabies come but for now, I tell myself that I don't need another hobby! I'd like to try needlepoint, I follow Coni's blog and all her things are gorgeous. Your piece is beautiful. I love Amish designs because of the way they use color. So graphic! I'll be anxious to see your progress!
ReplyDeleteI love both projects. I do needlepoint from time to time,but I've never seen a design as much as I like that one. I loved your needle story, think I might have to do a post on that.
ReplyDeleteI love counted canvas as well as cross stitch. I am, however, not a real fan of painted canvas needlepoint. Guess I just like to count! Counted canvas is a nice change from regular cross stitch and can be more relaxing. There are a lot of beautiful counted canvas patterns out there that use wonderful colors with different flosses than found in regular cross stitch. I also have Penny America and can't wait to start it but I have several birthday and Christmas gifts to finish first. I purchased the 32 ct fabric as I have yet to try 40 ct. Happy stitching-your projects look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteNice start on Penny America! Your needlepoint piece is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLoved your stitching story! So glad my hubby hasn't thought of the one craft rule! ;^)
Love your start on Amish Quilts in needlepoint. I also have 1 project i started in the beginning of the year but need to get back to before Valentines Day. LOL And just like Diane, please do not let your hubby talk to mine. LOL He was in the craft room last weekend when my aunt was here and started counting my scissors. OY! (and that didn't count the other 20 or so in projects). shhhhhhh......
ReplyDeleteLove the colors in your new "quilt" progject... will enjoy watching yours come to life. Although I will probably never try needlepoint, I do enjoy watching the beautiful designs stitched by others.
ReplyDeletehappy stitching....
Great needlepoint start! I too find needlepoint soothing and a nice change from cross stitch. Can't wait to see more of your progress.
ReplyDeleteI love Penny America! I've done some quilting and some needlepoint, but never thought about quilting in needlepoint. Your needlepoint adventure is looking very pretty. Can't wait to see more. In my house, we pretty much ignore each others obsessions.
ReplyDeleteLove your story and your Amish "quilt". The colors are awesome.
ReplyDeleteWoohoo, another convert to canvaswork - I have to admit I really love it from a change to XS, the stitches and threads are a real delight. In fact you've just given me the urge to start another one up again! ;) Your new start is stunning - I can't wait to see it growing up, and Nancy's designs are nice and simple which is extremely soothing to stitch, but look incredible when finished :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful needlepoint project! I can see why you're hooked; it's so lovely.
ReplyDeleteI have a needlepoint pattern all kitted up and ready to go. I love the new needlepoint patterns available now. It's like a whole new world of stitching! :)
ReplyDeleteBoth your needlework pieces look fantastic. I particularly like the colours in your quilt top.
ReplyDeleteAmen to the soul soothing! And I do cross-stitch, my first love...but I have to say, quilting is giving the stitch some very stiff competition - I have been doing that off and on for almost 20 years but really taking off the past couple. Like the needlework thus far and I agree, Coni is such an inspriation (and funny too).
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your stitching story, Vonna! I've chosen cross stitching over other forms of needlework due to the fact that I just don't have enough hours in the day to even do as much of that as I would like! Your foray into needlepoint looks like fun--beautiful piece you're working on.
ReplyDeleteOK--you've convinced me, I just added Penny America to my 123 Stitch shopping cart :) I've been fighting the urge for too long!!
I loved reading your stitching story. It was wonderful. I don't know about the one craft rule though. I enjoy my cardmaking and I occasionally sew on a machine. Don't think I could give those up. But, if given an ultimatum I would choose to lose it all to keep my stitching!!
ReplyDeleteVonna, I enjoyed reading about your stitching history. Your stitching is always so pretty. Oh, I love the needlepoint, such beautiful colors. You are tempting me to look into those designs but I'm trying soooo hard to work on my 20 + stitching wip's. Thanks again for sharing your story and beautiful work.
ReplyDeleteYour Penny America is gorgeous Vonna. Love your needlepoint too:)
ReplyDeleteLoved your story...you are so inspiring! Geez, I have quilting stuff all over this house and I keep thinking cross-stitch takes up less room and now needlepoint? Hmmm, something I have never tried. I've wanted to try scrap booking but I don't think that would go over too well. I was on the edge about whether I liked Penny America but you just convinced me that surely I would like it too! Have fun with your new project!
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful stitching and family !
ReplyDeletemarylin FRANCE
Loved your needle story....just don't let your husbands rule about one craft become common knowledge!
ReplyDeleteAs for your needlepoint design....WOW! it's truly amazing, you would never know that was your first attempt. You are a very talented woman. Can't wait to see more of it.
Now I'm trying to decide if I should branch out too.... ;)
Bwa ha ha ha ha.....I see that my work here is done (she cackles with a big fat tee hee)!
ReplyDeleteOh, dear Miss Vonna, your canvaswork is simply divine! I am so thrilled that you're enjoying this, and can't wait to see more lovely things in your future.
Have you seen Laura J. Perin's quilt-y designs?
I'm just sayin'...
Lovely, lovely, lovely.
I was surrounded by needles and pins all my life, almost until the time I got married. My mom was a seamstress (totally retired now) and her last big work was my wedding dress. Her needle was always blessed with the right way to work with it. Love the new nedlepoint
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses
Loved reading your story! The one hobby rule makes sense but is really hard to do! Congrats on finding a second that fits in to your existing one. Needlepoint is lovely. I can't wait to see more
ReplyDeleteHi Vonna!!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE your blog! I couldn't imagine one craft at a time..but maybe I should try that..I never get anything all the way finished it seems! Your needlepoint is GORGEOUS!!
:)
I think you should have told your husband that you would participate in any hobby that involved a needle - that leaves you with lots of options! Your needlepoint is lovely!
ReplyDeleteQuilting would work as it has neele, thread and fabric. Same thing you use in stitching,LOL!
ReplyDelete