2015 Ornament

Here is the picture of the ornament that Jackie designed for us. 

 

 

 

Jackie Said that when her son was toddler that they always had to feed Santa's Reindeer too.  So for our ornament she created a pouch to hold greens and a bottle of oats mixed with glitter.  The pouch is all hand finished and has a self lining and backing finishing technique.  It is worked with cross and tent stitches over one fabric thread.


The cost of the kit is $25.00 and shipping will be $7.00.

Swan Stitching Goals 2014 addition!

Here is another great post for 2014

 

It is Santa's Magic  stitched by Sandra Ball

 

Let us know if you finished some on your list.

 

Here is one of Carolyn's finishes. It was not sent in on a list but we thought that you would enjoy the story behind it. When she picked it back up this year to stitch on it, she found a paper in the bag with 1999 on it. So it was started about then or before. So take heart and know that it is never too late to work on and finish those "Works in progress".

 

Santa of the Forest - stitched by Carolyn Standing Webb

Swan Stitching Goals 2014

This is the time of year that tradition dictates that we make New Years Resolutions. Most of us keep those goals for about a day or perhaps a couple of months. We have received some ambitious lists for 2015 and it will be so much fun to see just how far they can go. So whether or not you sent us your list or even wrote one down for yourself, here's to lots of stitching and perhaps even some finished projects in the next year.

 

Several of our members were able to make stitching goals for 2014 and finished several of their pieces.

 

Barbara Martin finished 3 projects.

 

They are: a Christmas Sampler Stocking by Mary Beale

Boxed Blue Iris Sampler by Barbara Rakosnik

and a Biscornu that was not on the list but is a great design.

JoAnn Jackson finished two.

Stitcherie Challenge Heart

Ice Queen's Dilemma

I am sure that there are plenty of other finished projects out there. We would love to have you share then with us.

Mistress L

Lynn Jones and I have been steadily working on Mistress L by Lauren Sauer. We decided to work ours in silk - just 'cause we could and silk is so much easier to stitch with. It has been an adventure to find colors that match as much as possible. We did change a few colors because we wanted a bit more pink in the flowers.
Lynn has stitched a bit more than I have but here is part of my sampler.

 

 

Specialty Stitches - Queen Stitch Scissors Sheath

In March the guild is going to have a workshop about a couple of stitches that are often used on sampler to add a little something extra.
One is Montenegrin. This stitch us used to create stems and scrolls in bands. It is a reversible stitch and one that can be difficult to do.
The other is queen stitch. Queen stitch can be used as a single stitch or as a filling stitch. It can be worked straight and diagonally.
There are some tricks  and techniques that can help us improve both of these stitches.
As part of this class, Swans will hand out in class and later post the directions for  a scissors sheath that features queen stitches. Here is a photo of the finished sheath.

We will  suggest some thread colors but you will be free to choose your ground fabric and colors. You will need 3 flower colors, green, yellow and tan for the flower pot.

Ornament 2014

Ornament

One of the fundraisers that Swans have used every year has been the yearly Ornament. Sometimes these have had a Christmas theme but not always. The one for 2014 is a delightful, tiny sampler that should appeal to all of us who love samplers. It  has a number of fun and different stitches along with lots of over one stitching featuring some cute and unique animals and fruit.  A swan charm in either gold or silver is included with the pattern. It could hang on a tree but would be a charming addition to your sampler collection and enjoyed all year long. It can be a pin keep but could be a tiny pillow, cover for a book or even framed.
It is designed by Carolyn Standing Webb, one of our founding members who fondly remembers our goal of wanting to share samplers with all of those who share our passion. She hid her initials in the alphabet by stitching them in another color.

2014 Swan Stitch-A-Long

Swan Stitch-A-Long for 2014

 

Fall is here, and it is time to announce our next Swan Stitch-A-Long.  We want to thank Linda Schmunk for leading our SAL for 2013.  It was “Past and Present” by Rosewood Manor.  She did a fabulous job encouraging us along, and it is such a gorgeous piece.

 

For 2014 our SAL piece will be “Emma Rose Friendship” by Tree Of Life Samplings.  The stitch count is 230 x 130 and the pattern calls for NP Silks (there is a DMC conversion), and 40 ct Lakeside Vintage Buttercream Linen.  The NP Silks called for are:  202, 206, 207, 208, 222, 225, 226, 301, 303, 325, 332, 473, 663, 664, 692, 766, 767, 851, 957, and 993.  I am thinking about using a comparable overdyed silk for the solid yellow house and the solid brownish/red house next to it.

 

If you know me, you know that I really love patterns with houses, and I also love the “friendship” theme in this beautiful piece.  I will probably add some initials to my piece, of friends that have made a difference in my life.

 

We encourage you to buy your pattern and supplies at your local brick and mortar Needlework Shop when possible,  to support our local small stores.  If you have any questions please email me at brendastitch@mileshouse.org

 

Brenda Miles