Reunited...and it feels so good!

Stirha and Frank are together again.  At least they are in my home.  How many of you have hosted their reunion in your homes?  They are really crazy about each other.  Amy tells us they have "loving nicknames for each other...Adam and Eve".

The background on Frank is skip tent, and it stitches up so fast.  Here is a tip.  Use a small needle for the skip tent background.  You don't want to open up the holes any more than necessary.  I used a Bohin 28.  I would have used a 26 if I had one.  You would not believe how many needles I have, and no size 26!

And once again Amy has beautifully charted the face.  Remember to refer to her diagram rather than stitching by the color on the canvas.  I am not there yet, but I learned on Stirha's face and hands to use the diagram.

Here is a final look at Amy's version of Stirha Cal-Dron.  The beads are so much fun.

April first

Well here it is the first of April and I am still putting beads on Stirha. But I am please with my progress. I need to finish the beads and make the fire and the logs. But I am going to set her aside tomorrow and start on Frank. He is just so darn cute. The stitch guide is just great, so I must get on it.

I am happy to report on the Bead Explosion Kit we featured a few months ago. Sundance has released the kit with all of the bead tubes labeled. The lack of labels is the one thing I disliked about the kit that I saw from market. So thanks to Cassandra and Nandra of Sundance Designs. This will help me learn more about the kinds of beads that are out there and the effect they may have in our needlework. I will try to work this project in to my schedule this month! That's another reason to get to work on Frank, (and finish Stirha).

Happy Stitching.

The National NeedleArts Association, (TNNA)

The National NeedleArts Association, (TNNA), is a business organization dedicated to supporting the needlearts community. They need your advice and opinions, whether you are a beginner or an expert! This survey is only conducted every few years.

Please complete the 2010 NeedleArts survey at www.NeedleArts2010.net . Your input is very important and will be included in a published national report.

Your answers are anonymous. No one will use your survey responses to market to you.

In return for your participation, you will receive valuable benefits:

• Gain a chance to win one of five $100 needlearts gift certificates.
• Ensure stores and suppliers provide what you want.
• Explore your needlearts interest.

Your valuable input will help the needlearts community, too:

• Advocate for more programs to support the needlearts, such as Helping Hands Needlearts Mentoring, Stitch N' Pitch, and Stitching for Literacy.
• Help independent retailers and family-owned suppliers succeed by giving them the customer feedback they need.

As a thank-you for completing the survey, The National NeedleArts Association (TNNA) is offering the chance to win one of five $100 needlearts store gift certificates. To enter the sweepstakes simply fill out the survey at www.NeedleArts2010.net and then click on “Sweepstakes Entry” on the page you see after submitting the survey.

The 10-minute survey asks about your experiences with the needlearts you enjoy: crocheting, cross-stitch, embroidery, knitting, or needlepoint. Let us know which types of projects you prefer, the kinds of new products you want, and what you’d like to see needlearts shops do better.

The survey is sponsored by The National NeedleArts Association. Hart Business Research is conducting this survey for TNNA and compiling the results into a major national report, The State of Specialty Needlearts 2010.

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Survey closes April 19, 2010.

Frank is on the way

Get ready!  He's coming your way.  Yes, some of you will be receiving the next Halloweenie character in a matter of days.  Please remember to make a good color copy of the canvas before you mount it on bars.  I think he measures 10 X 14.  So check out your stretcher bar stash.  Please read the entire guide before you begin.  Amy has not necessarily written the guide in stitch order.  Though I will start with the background as she has written first.  I think one of the coolest things about this canvas is what Amy has done with the cat.  We will talk about it as the month of April progresses.  I'm anxious to hear what you guys think about her clever idea.

I have fallen a bit behind on Stirha.  I am off the next two days and I will get as much done as I can in those two days.  But I won't let that make me hold off on starting Frank.  You guys do the same.  If you can, go on and mount up Frank because there may be some fun stitches you would enjoy doing.  We will be using a lot of the threads we have been using on Stirha.  You should keep the threads for the house separate as they will reoccur on the house and not the characters.

One more thing.  The printed guide is 12 pages long.  Then the diagrams start on a page 11...so you have two page 11's and two page 12's.  NOT TO WORRY.  It is not a problem.  Amy never refers to page numbers, just to diagram numbers.  So don't let this be a concern.

I'm off to work on the beads.  Happy stitching!

Floating Cat - Background

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Here's an update on The Floating Cat. I finished the Background and the White Stars. I chose the Pavilion Steps stitch for the background, as seen in SuZy's Portable Stitches, page 40. I liked the movement of the stitch and hadn't used it before. Plus, I am still planning some drama for the Pumpkin Balloon and the Floating Cat. I used 2 strands of Needle Necessities Inc. 113 (from my stash) and stitched over the Balloon's String. I will put that in later.

The White Stars were Basketweave Stitches using Petite Sparkle Rays PS21, and the Outline of the Stars were Fly Stitches using Sprinkles 16. I probably don't need to mention that I have a "healthy" stash.

I am posting the charting of the Pavilion Steps for you to see; the regular way and my new favorite way. Here's my story. The other day I went into the local book store and saw some new Graph Paper. It is called Whitelines from Sweden, and it is a new writing paper which "brings out everything you write and draw. The novelty is that the lines are clearly visible without disturbing what you write, which a traditional writing paper with dark lines does."

Here's their website: www.whitelines.se

I purchased a binder of Whitelines Squared for myself. Love it. So this morning when I was charting the Pavilion Steps, I did so two ways: dark lines and White Lines. You can see for yourself the visual difference.

What's next? The Pumpkin Balloon. I have recommended the technique to many. It's time I do it for myself. Enjoy the day. 

Until the next time... Robin

Wrapping up

Hi.  Just trying to wrap up the things I skipped...hair, beads and logs.  The husband is under the weather so I may be out of pocket.  Keep stitching!

Frank

I have it on good authority, (Jill), that Frank N. Stein has just about finished packing his bags.   He wants to get an early start to Canada and California.  He heard that Stirha fooled around and arrived late to some homes.  He doesn't want to have to spend the night in customs or some warehouse for several nights.  He is determined to arrive promptly and begin stitching.  He thinks he has the best outfit to stitch.  But he hasn't seen Brid Z. Illa.  She is a sight...well, just a sight.

I am so proud of Melinda.  She will be finished with Stirha A Cauldron in just a few days.  She worked a little on it every day.  Melinda, you are an inspiration.