~ Greetings and Warm Welcome ~
to you, my dear friends!
First off...
I'd like to thank all of you who have left such positive comments and e-mails about the last finish and the accompanying video. I have other finishing videos in the works. And I hope to one day have a sensational tutorial blog filled with not only written word and picture tutorials but also video tutorials for those that feel more comfortable learning in that way. Like I'm right there with you finishing.
Thank you :)
I've heard from two blog friends that have finished their items using my *new* video tutorial and here are their versions of a small tuck pillow.
The first version was created by:
Andi Bailey
and I say that is PERFECTION ~ beautiful job Andi!
She used The Primitive Hare Valentine Freebie, just as I had in the video.
The second blog friend sending a picture to me was from:
Suzanne Denton
who used a Hands On Design Valentine freebie and wool for her complimenting material.
Isn't it darling?!
Way to go Suzanne! Stunning job!
So....
I've done a little stitching since 2016 rolled in. I recently stitched and finished 3 models for Country Cottage Needleworks and then got right to stitching a new start for me!
I chose to start stitching...
Calico Sampler
by: Summer House Stitche Workes
I am not using the same colors as charted. I am using my own conversion in Classic Colorworks overdye cottons. Not only that...but in the original Calico Sampler which can be viewed at Beth Seal's Beautiful blog Summer House Stitche Workes:
HERE
I decided that I wanted all my alphabet in a monotone color. At first I started thinking like a black color would be good. But as I pulled and looked at thread colors, I settled on River Rocks by Classic Colorworks. It has really nice mottling and I like that, plus it ranges from very dark graphite gray to soft stone gray. I think my choices are working nicely...
I am pleased...with the results...but I've got 8 more rows to do :)
The Twisted Stitcher's Finishing Service is back in production for 2016...
and once again my clients are prolific stitchers...
Ask Vonna...
About a month ago I received a question from Lisa K who writes...
"Dear Vonna...I enjoy your blog tremendously and I think this section is fabulous!! Thank you for your time helping fellow stitchers. Question-when stitching 2 over 2 do you have any helpful hints on getting the threads to lay flat? I'm forever untwisting as I stitch but even that seems not enough at times. I hate when the X's look "bunchy"...do you know what I mean?? Thanks again. Lisa K"
Well Lisa...
I'm sorry this took so long, but it took me a long time to try to figure out how I wanted to address your question. So....I made a video. I think that everything you might be wanting to know will be in the video. I hope it helps you, Lisa K. and any other stitcher out there :)
Vonna's Stitching Technique
again let's remember that this is my technique, I came up with it on my own (actually there are two techniques on there and I came up with both of them on my own). Is this the right way, the only way, or even the correct way to stitch? NO!
but it's my way to stitch and please respect that.
Lent...
is here and my priest, Fr. Daniel Mahan, shared yesterday in Ash Wednesday Mass something that hit me like a ton of bricks. I'd like to share it with you. We had just received our ashes on our forehead and during the homily, Fr. Mahan said:
"What are you going to do with the time you have between receiving your ashes, until you return to ashes?".
That is the question...
isn't it. Whether you are religious or non-religious. Whether you believe or do not believe. It comes down to simple fact that the time spent here on this earth can be spent doing good, or doing ill.
How many times...
have I armed myself with the intent that I'm only going to do good, just to go out and about my day and FAIL. Or something happens to me and then my mood and disposition turns sour. My Lenten intention is not only to deepen my prayer life and my personal relationship with my God, but it is to arm myself with doing better, being better and a better example for my children and for those around me ~ letting my little light shine, because it does shine and I want to share that light with others around me. Life is so good...even with the junk....it's good and I want to rejoice in that goodness and do unto others how I want done to me and to mine.
~ So I've chattered enough for today... ~
Until next time, my dear friends,
I'll be...
Keeping my hands to work,
and my heart to God...
while treating my neighbor with love, kindness and respect
~ because you just never know what they are dealing with, do you? ~
and trying to be the best ME I can be.
It's hard, trying to do this...
every day.
And Lord knows, I fail, time and time again...
I may stumble and I fall...
but then I remember:
To thine own self be true...
because...
I want to BE the change I want to SEE
in this old world.
So...
I pick myself up and I march on!
Because there is joy in my journey...
and there is joy in yours...
We are blessed!
Love and Hugs in stitches,
Vonna xxxx
