Started!

Rebekkah is on stretchers (although I ran out of staples in my staple gun and the corners are not stapled!) Last night I started the sky. I am infamous for not finishing series, and here I am starting another one!!

But, at least I picked up a needle!!!!

The Chilly Hollow Needlepoint Adventure: Knitting Yarn for Needlepoint (For Carol)

The Chilly Hollow Needlepoint Adventure: Knitting Yarn for Needlepoint (For Carol): Carol and I've been talking about threads for needlepoint  recently and bemoaning the lack of supplies in her area. She's going to hit up t...

Stitching

oh my, where does the time go?!!!

I have not picked up a needle since my last class from Tony at the Needleworks. When I returned home, I was so hyped to stitch. what happened???

Well, I know that redoing a shower pan in the master BR, and 6 pin sized leaks spring in the copper pipes in the walls may have sidetracked me, but putting down over 2,000 sq ft of gorgeous limestone, jackhammering up the sunporch (I did it myself while my husband was out of town, because he told me not to tear it out.), plying up the asbestos laden vinyl 9 x 9 tiles in the kitchen, ripping out wallpaper in the entry, ripping out cabinets in the kitchen so the limestone would not be placed around them, and....hmmm, I think that may be all. Oh wait, we also bought a house in Zihuatanejo with over 14,000 sq ft that we are placing in the vacation rental category. Perhaps, that may have something to do with the fact that I have not stitched, as I packed over 20 paintings for shipping, hauled them to Houston, unloaded them into my sister's garage fopr a week, and have spent 4 out of the last 6 weeks "on location" in Zihuatanejo. For those that do not know, many of my photos on facebook (friend me Kathy Jewell Wommack) are of the bay and sunsets at Z. also, some pics from the restaurants that serve seafood caught the night before and sold at the mercado de pescadores at 7 am each morning.

So, I just received the Kelly Clark "Rebecca", and I still have 2 stockings that need to be done. also, I am scheduled for 2 classes from Tony in February. I WANT TO STITCH SOOO BADLY.

If anyone is worried about safety in Mexico, we fly directly from houston to Zihua on Continental, and our staff picks us up at the ariport, which is less than 20 minutes from Casa Cielo. We have an incredible cook, maintenance man, and gardener. Gaby oversees our home, as well as about 4 others, and has been in Zihua her whole life. What a blessing!

We are just down the road (we walk) from the #1 boutique hotel in Zihua, called Amuleto. It's bar is intoxicating, not just with drinks, but also the view, and brazilian jazz. And, the garden restaurant is incredible. the back gate of the subdivision above us on the hill is right across from our driveway, staffed with a 24 hr guard, we are installing electric fences, and security cameras, but for now we have a night guard at our home.

Very few places we have found in Mexico are quiet. Casa Cielo is! One morning I had a meeting at 9 am with Gaby, and I awoke at 9:10, paniced that Gaby had left. I could not believe I had slept so late, but the room was completely dark and it was so relaxing. A soaking tub on the terrace of the master, private jacuzzis for four of the bedrooms, a huge infinity pool, outdoor palapa bar, gourmet kitchen with 2 dishwashers and refrigerators. Double height ceiling in the living room. media room, and gym. Casa Cielo is MY heaven, (well maybe here on earth!)

Once I had DVDs of Kelly and Amy on my computer in Zihua, and told them they were on a virtual vacation. Perhaps, we could arrange a real life one sometime, of course with Colleen, and whomever else would like to join us!!!! Tony?? Great light, tables, privacy...

But, since these ladies and gent schedule their time 3 years in advance, should I ask them? thoughts anyone?

PS I had changed a son's bedroom here in Midland into a place for my needlepoint, though it has not been used, and now with Christmas approaching, I need to figure out how to gracefully tell him, it is MY room now!

my New Year's resolution will be to take my needs into account, and find time for stitching!!!

take care everyone,
Kathy

Back

Hi

I am wondering if anyone is still aboard!

I am working on two stockings for Harper and Caroline. Also, I took two wonderful workshops from Tony Minieri at The Needleworks. AND, I chose a canvas for his February canvas embellishment class from Leigh Designs: Fortress of the Red Dragons Pagoda #7141. I am so looking forward to seeing what he does with this design!

I also ordered another pagoda. If I remember correctly, it is the Temple of 1,000 Cranes, which will be a companion piece to the one tony designs.

Construction/repair on our house has interfered with my stitching, but there is nothing like one of Tony's classes to stimulate the desire to put aside time to stitch!!

hope you all are not melting in the heat...AND, I found out from a textile specialist here in Midland that our completed needlework should not be sealed in plastic. It should be wrapped in either unbleached muslin, or archival paper, or placed in archival boxes. Stephen (the expert) uses lavendar to ward off pests. Remember, if you use cedar blocks, that they have to be scraped or sanded periodically.

take care,
Kathy

vacation is over!!

hmmm, an extended vacation? Although, I wish I had been in Telluride this whole time, honestly, I have just been lazy. I have been keeping up with the stitching blogs, but not stitching much myself.

newsflash! My DIL didn't have altitude sickness after all...she is expecting! We find out next month whether she will deliver a baby boy or baby girl!! either way, the Nativity stocking will be perfect!

I have decided to finish up Stirha rather than start on Bridezilla! My "plan" is to finish up the characters, and save the house to do all at once. But one step at a time! for now it is Stirha.

take care everyone!
Kathy

vacationing

Hi!

We are in Telluride for a few more days. I spent yesterday morning in ER with my DIL who has had a bad case of altitude sickness. poor thing!! I was kicking myself for not grabbing my needlepoint as I rushed out the door!! It was the first time ever that I had nothing to do while I was there. they put her on oxygen for a few hours, and gave her some strong meds. she had severe nausea, and was feeling just a little better by last night.

5in of fresh powder!! the boys are loving it!!

Our grandson, Tripp is adorable! I am enjoying him immensely!! He loved for me to shake the tree branches and have the new snow fall off. Chuckled!!

I will try to get a post or two up, but no promises!!
Kathy

STIRHA'S SETUP

I decided to make Stirha's setup mobile, by attaching my table clamp to a stool. The stool can be placed up high, so Gus cannot get to my threads, or on the floor where I can sit on an ottoman. I also can easily take it outside. Since we have a pool, I have to watch Gus when he is outside, and he loves the outdoors when the weather is nice. I never would have thought to attach the clamp to anything but a table--- necessity is the mother of invention!

STRIPPING

Well, now that I have everyone's attention!!

I wanted to share my tip on stripping Lorikeet. The first strand or two are difficult to pull without creating a huge tangled knot. Amy's tip on pulling the first strand only few inches, then straightening the remaining plies works well, but some stitchers still seem to end up with knots. Once you have a knot in Lorikeet, it's very time consuming and frustrating to figure out how to separate your strands.

Credit to Amy Bunger"s Halloweenies Home Study, of Amy's Golden Strand for the "tip" above; used with permission. Amy's stitch guide tips are proprietary, but this is one example of how much I appreciate the educational experience of working Amy's stitch guides!



So here's what I do:

You can see in the picture that I have pulled one strand to the left, with the remaining strands in the center, and the right. There is no knot in this skein, even though the central threads appear tangled. Instead of grabbing those center strands that are already tangled, grab the remaining strands just to the right of the mess, and straighten from there. Once you have the one strand "released" from the rest, then you can go back and straighten those central plies if necessary. If you grab in the middle of those central strands, you might end up with a knot, because the plies can overlap.

I actually do this holding the strands from above, and pull down on the remainder, but direction is probably irrelevant. Do not try to pull two strands at once; it won't work!

hope this helps!
Kathy

Voodoo?

Hi, gus here....

I am really worried about my master. She has been sticking scary pins in this haunted house she is working on. I don't know if a spell has been cast on her, but she keeps talking about this witch who's coming to live with us. Can't she find a nicer friend, like a cute female JRT?

She has been talking about needles, and...more needles! I have heard that those chenille needles are very sharp!!! and, what the heck is a milliner's needle? for that matter, what is a milliner? ...sounds terrifying!!!

Next thing I know, that witch will be lending her the voodoo spell books!!


love, gus
(they tell me I am the most handsome JRT in the world)

Halloweenies Gift

I love my Halloweenies gift! Thank you Amy!!

I am trying to decide how I want the house finished, and I love the idea of using these pins worked into the cording on the edge of a box shaped standup, perhaps with a black bow on top, and maybe a spider or bat.

Halloweenies House

Hi! thanks, gus, for your post!! you are quite articulate for a 3 month old puppy!!

If anyone is not already aware, you can follow the blog for the Halloweenies Home Study, even if you are not participating! If you click on the title of this post, it will take you directly to the blog. Peggy is doing a wonderful job keeping me on track, and stitching daily, with tips from Amy, and photos of her own work. This dilapidated haunted house has been broken into four segments for stitching purposes. January is part 1, then we do two figures in Feb and March, then part 2 of the house in April, etc.

I love the new floor frame I got for Christmas, especially with all my opportunities to hang things from it and attach sundries to it.

Below is my set up for working on the roof. It is upside down because it brings the roof closer to me. I wish I had had the stocking set up this way last fall.



I must have been a difficult child! I remember when making a debut walk with my dad, I was asked to choose a song, and I chose "My Way" by Frank Sinatra. I think my mom suggested it, but if not, she certainly said that it was very fitting! This home study allows for each of us to "do our own thing" in making a unique creation. I am using the stitch guide and thread selection as a jumping off point for the roof, and can't wait to show close up photos. I am thrilled with the way it is turning out!! I see the roof composed of slate tiles, with some of the tiles missing. More on this in a subsequent post~~ suspense is normal in a study of ghosts, and haunted houses, right?

I will try to be more consistent in my posts.
happy haunting!
Kathy

THE FLOOR STAND

ummm..... hi, .....Gus here. I am a little slow typing this because my paws are too big for these tiny buttons. Sitting on Kathy's shoulder sure is comfy though. It's a good thing she gave me a chew toy, cause otherwise I would be licking her ear.

Well, I was asked to report on the floor stand. I thought the floor stand was supposed to be placed on the floor, but Kathy seemed to think it meant she was supposed to stand on the floor, and the frame was to be placed on the trunk she uses for a coffee table. why she wants to stand while she needlepoints I can't figure out, although she did mention that one burns more calories standing than sitting. she has managed to keep all those soft strings out of my reach, doggonit! Her strings are so much softer than the ones she gives me. She has her strings in stupid boxes with snowmen on them. Heck, I can't even reach the scissors' leash! She must be crazy to put scissors on a leash. Scissors can't walk...can't bark as good as me either.



she is working on the house with the cat and mouse, both which I am trying to figure out how to catch.
She doesn't get very far because she quits when I wake up. I always yip for her to hold me. I think I have her trained pretty well.
she asked me to put up some pictures of her setup. so I did. hope you like them!

slurp (puppy kiss),
Gus

guest blogger

oh, the anticipation!!! I have asked a guest blogger to post for me tomorrow!!!

Can you guess who that might be?? and he promises pictures, yea!!

Kathy

A DOUBLEWIDE

Well, I told you I didn't think my coffin was the right size, (that I needed to take off some lbs.), but Amy and Jill and Polly and all were so kind to send me a double wide!! No wonder it has been sitting in the LR under another box, and a coat I threw on top of them when I returned home with our newest male family member, "gus" (picture above.) I was starting to worry, and it's been here the whole time!!!

the coffin not only includes my haunted house, but also a binder and the last of the cookbook chapters I had ordered on sale, and my last Nativity canvas. I was on the lookout for a skinny box, lol!! It is like trying on a size 8 and realizing you are now in size 14-16!!!

Anyway, I am so excited ...cannot wait to read the stitch guide and get it all set up on my evertites and new floor frame!!
Kathy

COFFINS

Anyone making funeral arrangements? I have ordered my coffin, have you?

Also, I must mention it is not an empty coffin on the way!! Mine comes pre-assembled, and even complete with spiders and ghosts, (along with other things-kinda spooky!) What a deal! Also, I know I need to lose weight, but I guess I will really have to get busy! You see these coffins will fit in your mailbox, well almost!

These must be a great deal, because look at the demand:

http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-01-26T21%3A40%3A00-06%3A00&max-results=7
(sorry but you will have to cut and paste; someone has stolen my link capacity)

I guess I am not the only one making, ahem, "arrangements"!!

this is going to be fun!!! perhaps you will join us??
http://www.amybunger.com/halloweenies.html

maybe TODAY will be the day my coffin arrives!!!
Kathy

DOS COMPADRES

Guess who came with me to Zihua?? Two best friends: Amy Bunger and Kelly Clark. Of course, they are each others best friends, and my virtual compadres, but who better to travel with?? yes, Amy, you are in Zihuatanejo right now, you just can't taste the fresh red snapper, or luxuriate in the best massages on earth! You and Kelly will have to stay on my DVD drive, but I sure enjoy your company!!

what an incredible DVD!! I am so glad I will know the needleweaving tips and techniques when I get to the part of my stitch guide that calls for them!! I am sure everyone knows about the new DVDs, but just in case, here is the link to DVD #7 "The Ins and Outs of Needleweaving":

http://www.amybunger.com/DVDs.html

I decided to bring a stocking I am working on, and managed to pack my lap frame in my luggage. I was afraid they might not let it back into the USA in a carryon bag. those bars are menacing with the screws on the end, you know!!

take care,
Kathy

WHAT TO DO?

Have you ever felt that a piece you're stitching is jinxed? I have an Imari plate pillow that is still unfinished. It seemed each time I worked on it, something bad happened.

I am starting to think the Nutcrackers are jinxed. It only started after I put them in straight jackets, and so I guess I am to blame, perhaps. I guess what I need to do is finish them really quickly, but I guarantee they are not going out of town with me----ever again!!

Unfortunately, our family dog, a Jack Russell Terrier passed away while I was out of town for 24 hrs with doc and the Piper. "Sparky" and I had gotten pretty close while I was working on Tripp's stocking. He will be missed.

I would have understood if he had gotten hit by a car because he paid no attention to them. But, he was killed by a pack of coyotes less than 2 blocks from our home. We live in the middle of town--it happened at the community college close by. He had accidentally been let out.

sooo---what to do?? We are heading to Mexico next week. the nutcrackers will stay home, and I guess I will take the Nativity stocking with me, and maybe something small also. I am almost afraid to try to get onto an international flight with stretcher bars, but I will be gone an entire week.

hmmm, not sure what I will take with me...
Kathy

2010-- YEAR OF THE HOUSE

Ring in the new year!!! 2010!!

Seems in my house, it will be the "Year of the House"!! A Weenie House, a Woodland house, and you know designers always say we should have 3 of something, right?? well, the Weenie House and Woodland House have stitch guides by Amy. what should the third house be?

Robin mentioned Amy might be ordering another canvas of the Valentine House:
http://www.melissashirleydesigns.com/galsearch/index.cgi?index=1095442677_8366&col=&cat=
which already has a custom stitch guide, and won FIRST PLACE at ANG a few yrs ago....very tempting!!
Since I don't have any needlepointed Valentine decorations, this might be a possibility.

But, I also like the Peppermint Stick House:
http://www.melissashirleydesigns.com/gallery/index.cgi?index=1168204627_1154&col=&cat=62
Perhaps Amy could see if the colors coordinate with the Woodland House?? the greens, purples, etc.... The kids and grandkids are home at Christmas, so I know it would be a part of our celebrations.

btw, the Piper has been behaving, so he is getting his cell decor updated! (see bandidos (nutcracker) posts, if you don't know what I am talking about)

Any thoughts?
Kathy

Amy's sale

who can resist a great sale? Obviously, not me, not I, not me...so I splurged.

I just had to participate in the 25% off sale at Amy's Golden Strand, purchasing the Woodland House MSD 1086 D, by Melissa Shirley --and a custom stitch guide by Amy of Whoville, or was it Bungerville, or perhaps it will soon be (hallo)Weenieville. Well, certainly it's not Cruella-de-Ville--she's too nice!! <<< AMY BUNGER

Here's a link:

http://www.melissashirleydesigns.com/galsearch/index.cgi?index=1095436124_5585&col=

I was thinking it would be a beautiful centerpiece for my Christmas dinner table, but then I remembered Will caught his linen napkin on fire last year. Well, he was only 16, so maybe he will still grow up. (We didn't have candles this year.)

I am following the Pied Piper and Doc to the lake for New Year's...wishing everyone the best in 2019....who's counting??

Kathy

Santa

Thank you, Santa!! You really hit the mark this year with the gifts you gave me. Well, I know I have been good, but...ummm...well, I ...ummm. We need to talk!

I worked my tail off to finish Tripp's stocking by the deadline, and it is gorgeous (if I would only attach the tassels and bells). But, I must confess...I am still on Baby Jesus in the Amy Bunger home study--which really isn't sooo bad when you consider the series is still going on. It only means I need to finish 11 and a half figures by Sept 1st. Piece of cake, right??

And, then, Santa, there is that crazy group of Bandidos, with the Doctor, and who know what all he is prescribing them. Never, ever, will I take a road trip with them again---two flat tires in a BMW (spares aren't stocked in junction , TX with a population of 2K). And, then there was the fog in Midland for two days, which meant the Bandidos and I spent the night in Dallas. I thought it was over until I discovered the hotel had charged me for two nights instead of one! I guess it was Father Frost's fault. the Bandidos probably talked him in to casting a spell. (Remember, I put them in straightjackets? guess they don't like it, but tough)

So, Santa, could I just leave you the Bandidos on your plate next year instead of cookies? I am sure they wouldn't be much trouble. don't you need a few more helpers since the economy is stretching so many budgets?

One last thing Santa---I have to confess---I signed up for a new series!! It was just too hard to resist all the creepy Hallloweenies at Bungerville!

so, you see Santa, I love the floor stand you brought me, and the last few cookbook chapters, and Jane Zimmerman's second book. and, umm, well I bought a few books for myself, and ....and...how do I say this---Well, yes, I bought some new canvases too--not too many (rofl!).

so Santa, I think I will tell you early what is on my list for next year: just a tad of discipline. that shouldn't be too hard. After all, the system worked! I just need to figure out how to avoid letting it all happen in the first place, right Madam Secretary??

hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!!
Kathy