Monday, October 20, 2014

Around the World Blog Hop

Hello everyone!

Today is my day for the Around the World Blog Hop.  I was invited to do this post by Brigitte, from At Brigitte's Place. Thanks Brigitte for inviting me to participate in this blog hop.   I hope I don't disappoint!

So there are a few questions that we are to answer.  I can choose to answer them all or one, it's up to me. I'm going to answer 3.

1. What am I working on.  Well, there a number of BAP's I am working along with 1 small design that is in my rotation.  Currently, I have been working on Sarah Chapple but have had backwards success with her this weekend.  I thought I miscounted the border and began ripping out about 3 hours of work when last night, I realized I was looking at the wrong darn page! So in fact, I didn't make a mistake at all!! So 3 hours of stitching that I needlessly frogged and am trying to restitch.  

Here are a series of Sarah photos plus two photos of my other BAP's I alternately work on.


Before frogging


Unnecessary frogging
JCS 1707

Tea Cup Fairy in it's current state

2.  Why do I create what I do.  I've always loved needlework and textiles since I was a young girl.  I have a deep respect for women in the past who have used needlework to tell their story and be creative when there weren't many outlets for women to do so.  My love of history and all things old, coupled with needlework, drew me to stitch samplers, of which I wish I could produce more than one per year.  The process of stitching or crocheting is therapeutic and anchors me when things in life feel rocky or uncertain.  I do a lot of thinking, daydreaming and praying when I stitch so it's a meditation of sorts but with a tangible outcome in the end.  I love to make little gifts for people too, particularly my family, who are always thrilled to received something handmade from me...even to the point now where they are requesting things!

3. How does my creative process work?  Hmmm, When it comes to choosing a sampler, I often am drawn to the colours, motifs and details that are in a sampler.  It's hard to choose a favourite because I have yet to stitch a sampler from each century and country.  Each one has it's charm and intrigue.  As for smalls, I am drawn to designs that uses nature in a sweet way.  Prim, whimsical, antique, any kind of design I enjoy stitching.  Sometimes I stitch a design and think of a finish while I'm stitching, or I'll have a finish in mind, find a design and make it.  When stitching for someone, I often think of the end product first and use a theme or colour scheme and then find a pattern that will fit.  I don't have a precise process, I just like to stitch whatever calls to me!

Now for the second part of the blog hop.  I invited three people, one of which already did the blog hop, oops, and I forgot to chose another person in lieu of.  Only one responded and that is Sarah!! From Sarah in Stitches. Sarah lives in Dubai, UAE and teaches too like me.  She creates lovely biscornus, of which I have one, and other lovely stitchy creations.  Please do hop over to her blog for her blog post on October 27th.

Fall is here...it's such a beautiful time of the year.





A quick thank you to all those who commented on last post.  I haven't got around to responding to all of them yet.  I have my blogoversary giveaway in mind for next weekend and another surprise to share with you all.

Hugs to you all!!

Anne

Monday, October 6, 2014

Sampler Stitching

Bonjour mes amis!

It's a fair day out today compared to the super hot day we had yesterday.  I completely overdressed yesterday with a sweater and wool skirt and the temperature was up to 25 degrees Celsius! Who could have guessed we had one more hot day in October? Very strange. 

I don't have much to report other than I've done a wee bit of stitching this weekend.  I didn't start a new Sheep virtue yet, but will get to that next weekend.  I focused instead on my samplers since that was my fancy.  I do feel a twang of guilt for not stitching on my Chatelaine for many months.  The trouble with that one is that it's on a massive lap stand and quite cumbersome to bring out and put away.  Anyways, here's my stitching progress so far.

JCS 1707


A naughty Titus


Sarah Chapple and the taking an age rooftop


Bittersweet Flower sampler



Granny Stripe progress 

Who's under there?


Titus is!


Another sweet Titus photo after he smushed up against my charts


He just wanted to make sure I knew that he likes my stitching.

One of the best things about Autumn other than the beautiful colours, is the gorgeous dahlias. 


One day, when I have a garden, I will be planting many of these beauties in all sorts of different colours.  

So I've been giving some thoughts to a giveaway and I think I'll post about it on my next payday.  It will be a simple giveaway since I don't have much time to make something this year.  So stay tuned in the next week or so for an announcement!! 

Many hugs to you all and happy stitching!!

Anne