Two With Thy Needle and Thread Finish Pieces

This month I tried dyeing linen with Walnut Crystals and loved the look. Filled a medium rubbermaid dishpan about halfway with hot water. Slowly added some crystals until the water looked like dark coffee or Coke. Kept stirring until the crystals were disolved. Put 2 pieces of linen in for 5 minutes and than removed it. Rolled them into a large towel and than hang the pieces to dry.


I used 22 ct Fine Ariosa Cream linen and it really needs to be zigzag before dying. It frays alot. After it was dry I noticed 3 small dot on the linen. Luckly it was only one side. Next time I plan on mixing the crystals in a small glass container or jar to make sure all the crystals are disolved.


I didn't keep track of how much water or the amount of crystals used. But plan on doing tests on 32 ct white belfast linen. Keeping track of amounts of water and crystals used. I like to see what happens at the 5, 10 and 15 minute mark with dark coffee coloured water. Than I want to add more crystals and do another 5, 10 and 15 minute mark test. Going to keep a book for future redyes.



Peter And Peep would make a lovely baby gift. It's suppose to be a pillow
Went with the listed threads and my hand dyded ariosa cream.


House Of Blues and Brown Sampler was stitched with the listed threads and hand-dyed ariosa cream

Finished Loose Feather 2011 Series

I decided to wait for all 3 charts to arrive before starting this series. Last night I put the final stitches in. I went with 30 ct Irish Creme and the listed hand-dyed threads. Next up is the Bonus chart from the Winter Block. It's called Eveline Cunningham and it uses 32 ct Vintage Sand Dune and Gentle art threads. I think i'm going to use my Grandmother name on this piece.

I also started a baby blanket in shape of a Leaf. It's going to be for my nephew new baby. It reminds me of Anne Geddes picture of babies wrapped in vegetables or fruit. Here is a link to her beautiful design.
http://www.spudandchloe.com/patterns/leaf-blanket-new/

March Goals

This will be a month of working charts from my stash. Need to get items done before market stuff arrives.

1. Loose Feathers 2011 Series by BBD
2. Bonus items from Loose Feathers Autumn and Winter
3. Sarah Eliazbeth Brooke by The Scarlett House or The Olde Settlement by The Primitive Needle. Waiting for linen to arrive for Sarah.

Jane Rees Finished

Last night I put the final stitch in Jane Rees by SL. Stitched using 36 ct vintage autumn gold and NPI 404. Started her in 2007 but had to stop when I fractured my elbow. Picked her back up in February 2012. It took 34 stitching days to finish.

February Goals

This is the month to work on finishing WIP pieces It's been over 4 years since I picked up Jane Rees and it's good to be stitching her again.

1. Anniversary of the Hearts Series by BBD-DONE
2. Jane Rees by Scarlett Letter-DONE
3. Finish the last bit on Turkey Love-DONE

Bonus
Finished WIP Halloween Series by LK
1. Joy Ornament by BBD
2. Blessed Ornament by BBD
3. 4 pieces from the Bunny Chart by The Prairie Schooler

Finished Christmas Garden by BBD

Christmas Garden by BBD was my 2012 start. Put the first stitch in at the ball drop and finished it in January. It was stitched on 30 ct sheep straw and the listed threads. Plan on using this colour linen and threads for Christmas Quaker by By Gone Stitches

Finished Anniversary of the Hearts Series

Last night I finally put in the last intials for Anniversary of the Heart Series by Blackbird Designs. I was able to get each of my sisters and brothers name in the piece. For each sister or brother I added their husband and childrens names. For Wynne I added this years date. She's going to be a grandmother for the first time.
For my daughter(Christa) I added a ball of wool. Knitting is her favorite hobby. For the bonus block I added Canada for everyone on the block. For Don Hearts Rose I'm going to search for some tiny old buttons to sew on it. Rose made some beautiful items.