It only took 4 years.....

....for me to finish a piece of needlework.

Here it is:



A close up of the top:



the middle:



and the bottom:



This is the Mystery sample, which concluded after 15 parts, in December 2006 in the Embroiderers Guild of America publication Needle Arts. And it is done. Finally. I started it in 2005. I guess I had a 7 year itch to get 'er done.

At some point I'll write about why I gave up needle work for 4 years. Tonight isn't the night.

Thanks for stopping by.

And the winner is....................

I entered State Fair again this year. I was a little surprised at the results, and I don't know what to think anymore. Anyway, post your feedback. I'm very interested in hearing your opinion.



Sorry that the picture isn't better. I finished this one a while ago and decided to enter this on a whim. It is a beautiful shade of lavender, and usually has a special place in my curio.

From the judge: "Lovely little needle roll - color and stitch selection gives true "vintage " look."

Result: 1st Place - Counted Cross Stitch, Unframed Piece



This is really one of my favorite pieces and can take over a room. I replaced the antique gold tone frame because I thought it over powered the piece. Guess I was wrong.

From the judge: "Stitching has good tension. The details of the frame compete to be the main focus. Nicely shaded colors."

Result: Not selected for award

Which means it won't be shown. If you would like to see MEGA detail of the picture, go here. The beading, which I thought would be mentioned, as it is directional to suit the flow, was not addressed. On this one, I feel slighted. It may have something to do with the fact I'm a little emotionally attached to this one.



Those who are familiar with Martina Weber of Chatelaine Designs will now that these types of charts are not for the faint of heart. There are a lot of specialty stitches, and a laying tool was used liberally to insure proper placement of threads.

From the judge: "Sparkling, glittery design. (that would be the Swarovski Crystal, but I digress) The lack of variety in the size of motif groups makes it hard to find a true focal point. Good variety in stitch selection."

Result: 2nd Place - Other Counted Techniques, Sampler

**The needlework was judged by the same person - "BC"



I tried to keep it simple this year, as I found that was the basic draw of the prize winners last year. That seems to have been a good idea.

From the judge: "Map w/strings is clever (and they line up across the pages!) Nice, clear layout."

Result: 1st Place - "Scrapping " Through California, Holiday or Vacation Theme

I may have pandered here a little bit. I waited until I found out what the theme of the Fair would be this year, and used that in the theme, which is "Passport to California". I had already decided to do the coastal redwoods, so it worked out fine and now I have a theme of the entire scrapbook on our trips along the Lost Coast. Win - Win.

I just want to go on record that I did the next three the night before I had to drop this stuff off in Sacramento. I entered a month before. Nothing like waiting until the v-e-r-y-l-a-s-t-m-i-n-u-t-e to get it done.



From the judge: "Nice clean card. Embellishments would add to the card"

Result: Award of Merit - Card Crafting Contest, Birthday



From the judge: "Be careful with adhesive - you don't want any excess to show. Mats should be upright and evenly spaced. Love the saying!"

Result: Not selected for Award



Quick note - I bought some of the glass beads in a shop in Eureka last year. I wanted to make something different and submit it to Fair. I started this at 10:30 pm 5/14 and finished 2:30 am 5/15. It was at Fair at 11:30 am on the 15th. As I said - last minute!

From the judge: "Very nice work. The colors and balance are spectacular. Perfect tension on stringing and the findings have been chosen nicely. Just an overall great piece. Good job!"

Result: Honorable mention - Bead Art, Jewelry Art

Let me state further, this is the third beaded necklace that I have EVER made and the first time using wire and crimps. Not too bad. I already have ideas for next year.

That's it - let me know what you think.

Thanks for stopping by!

Year End Re-Cap, Part I

Since I was so lousy at actually posting the last few months, hence re-cap, in parts. This is mainly "what I did in my spare time" project wise. For those who need to know, you know?

In August, I finished up pair #12 in my attempt to reduce the sock stash. Ha! That's a battle I have little hope of winning.



Basic sock pattern in Joann's Sensations Soles & More. I've worn these several times already and like how they are holding up. No pilling or felting.

#13 was a kit that I got years ago when I signed up for a sock club sponsored by a shop here in the Bay Area.



Pedicure socks in Interlacements Tiny Toes. As my sister-in-law commented, they think of everything. I concur. I made these simply for the fact I was tired of moving them from one project pile to another. I might try to wear these with my sandals, since I don't get professional pedicures.

Pair #14 was a joy to do. The yarn is from my favorite podcaster, Miss Violet of LimeNViolet.



The cables are a little hard to see, but it's a beautiful pattern by Kat and the pattern can be found here. The pattern is called Lacy Mock Cable Socks. The yarn is Lime & Violet Sasquatch Superwash in the colorway John the Sword Swallower (Miss Violet's hubby).

#15 comes from two of my favorites - Gigi Silva (aka MommaMonkey, Monkey Toes) and Georgia Schlegel of Yarn Pirate fame. Gigi passed away a few years ago and her wonderful talent is missed.



The pattern is Eleanor and the yarn colorway is Rain Shadow. I found out that Georgia is expecting her second child and taking a hiatus from the Booty Club. No monthly sock goodness for me for a while. However, her timing is excellent. My Yarn Pirate stash is slowly disappearing. I love her base yarns!

And that's it for socks. Worth noting, I only finished two pairs for Socktober. Need to do better next year. I have two other pairs on the needles, but they'll be done in 2010.

Part II forthcoming.......

Goldilocks Market Bag

I started this bag three times. The first one was too small. The second one was too big. The third one was just right. I'm really happy with the outcome and I've used a big chunk of my worsted cotton stash. The yarn is Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Ombres & Prints, 470 yard skien. Colorway is Meadow. I used the ballband pattern, modified heavily, of course.

Waves and Piers in Trekking XXL

This pattern is from Little Box of Socks by Charlene Schurch and Beth Parrot. Easy pattern to remember and a quick knit.

Dancing Bamboo Socks in Trekking XXL

These socks are from the excellent book Pints & Purls: Portable Projects for the Social Knitter. I received this book from my mother-in-law for my birthday and about half the patterns are on my "must-knit" list.

The yarn is Trekking XXL, which is one of the most durabe sock yarns I have every used. Loved this project!

Waterfall Scarf

One of my favorite series of knitting books is One Skein Wonders. The pattern for this scarf came from Designer One Skein Wonders.



This was an easy pattern, and an enjoyable knit to work on in the car. I like dropping stitches on purpose! The yarn is from Chasing Rainbow Dyeworks in the colorway Abalone.

Wendelin Socks

I'll be honest - the main reason I decided to knit this pattern is the name was similar to a nickname my friend Chris had given me in high school. The pattern is by Rosemary Waits and the pattern can be found here.



For those of you that have been following me for a while, you know that I don't like toe up sock construction. The heels, for the most, don't suit me and cause the sock to wander around. I reversed it, constructed the ribbing to match the pattern, and added a heel flap. Tada - a sock that suits me!

The yarn is from my favorite dyer, Yarn Pirate, in the colorway I Want Candy. I wasn't crazy about this colorway because I'm not a "pink" girl, but if I had my druthers, all my socks would be purple. Yarn clubs are the only reason I have variety in my stash.

Mystic Light Shawl

Pattern by Anna Dalvi.

Yarn is Dream in Color Smooshy, colorway Dusky Aurora.



I started this way back in March of last year. A couple of months ago I decided I wanted to submit it to the California State Fair. I entered it with a fifth of the shawl undone! I have to take it to Sacramento this weekend. Think I finished in the nick of time? Yup.

Procrastination - the spice of life.

This is the first charted shawl I have done and I am quite pleased results. Let's see how I do.

The Chemo Cap Rides Again

It's been awhile, and I started to feel bad. I only have about 8 of these left to knit to hit my goal.



Knit Picks Shine Sport in Willow, pattern also from Knit Picks.

Phineas

My friend Kelley owns Ceallach Dyes. She uses a sustainable dying process for her yarns, and I would encourage you to take a look at her site and learn more about the process. I had the pleasure of helping her in her booth at Maker Faire this year, which was a blast. I brought this project with me to show off her sock yarn.



The colorway is Irises. I wanted to use a simple pattern, so it wouldn't compete with the yarn. The pattern is from Rosemary Waits and can be found here. I knit these on Size 0 needles, so they took for-ev-er! (or two weeks)

Everlasting Bagstopper #2

I liked the first one so much, I did it again.



Again, need bag handles and a shopping trip to break it in!

Lettuce Vanda

I mentioned this one last month. I really love this yarn and I'm looking forward to wearing it - when it's cold! This is a very warm sweater.



I thought I had added enough length to make them full length sleeves, but they're 3/4. Oh well. Considering I push my sleeves up all the time, I'll save myself a step.

The pattern is from Knitter's Magazine, Summer 2008. The yarn is Malabrigo Worsted in the colorway Lettuce.

Quill Lace Socks

Another knitty.com pattern, and my favorite sock yarn.



The yarn is Yarn Pirate (surprise!) in the colorway Smoke Rings. I knit these in four days. The pattern looks like it would be difficult, but it was easy-peasy! Pity the weather is getting warmer - at least too warm for socks.

Everlasting Bagstopper

I've been looking at this pattern on knitty.com for a while now and thought, "I should make that". So, I did.



I bought some no-name cotton yarn at Stitches West last year, for this specific purpose. I started it when we were driving through the Sierra's a few days ago. Now, I just have to add handles and head down to the farmer's market!

Recap - March Madness

Last month I went a bit nuts with the dishrag cotton. I found out that there would be a new baby in the family, and I went to work. Unfortunately, this little one wasn't meant to be. Nature sometimes makes that decision, but it's still a hard thing to accept. So I will put them away for the future.

I had a huge stash of Sugar n' Cream, and a lot of little balls of the same and Peaches & Creme. I was determined to put a dent in that stash. Using my favorite patterns from Mason Dixon Knitting, here are the results:

Bibs O' Love



Between these two, I used up 5 balls of leftovers. The one to the left includes solid yellow and white stripes interspersed with the variegated yellow/green/white.





I was shooting for a dozen in total, but settled for ten. I had better luck in the scrapbook section finding buttons that I liked than at Joann's. I very much miss the old fabric stores.

Baby Genius Burp Cloths







I have more of these I would like to make, but they will be done at another time. I still have about 6 balls of Sugar n' Cream set aside for burp cloths.

Ballband Dishcloth













What I like about these is that I can mix and match and use leftovers, which I did. I want to make more of these, as they make great gifts and of all the washcloths I have made, I like these best.

So, that is my March Madness recap!

Revontuli -huivi/Northern Lights

This lovely pattern is from AnneM and can be found on Ravelry and at her blog. Last year, I bought some Kauni from my local dealer, Marianne at The Yarn Boutique. It has been pestering me for some time, and I had to do something about that. For me, it's a little Halloween-y, or maybe a litte Goth. I still like it though. The examples shown on AnneM's site, and on Ravelry, are amazing.

I used about 190g of the Kauni. I purchased 290g. I have enough left over to do a scarf - even socks if I wanted to go that route. The color changes would be interesting on socks. I'll probably go with a scarf, or maybe a hat or fingerless gloves. We'll have to wait and see!

As a side note - it took me three days to knit. About 24 hours in total. It was quick for a shawl!

Raindrop Cardigan

The design is from the Rowan Plaid Collection book by Kim Hargreaves. The colorway is Lavender Mist. This was a fun and easy pattern. I liked the yarn very much, but it has been discontinued by Rowan.

This is the fourth sweater I have finished this year! However, this is the first one that I started from scratch - no previous efforts to start. I am very pleased with the results and will wear it when I go to my knitting group tomorrow night. Won't they be surprised. I cast on while at the meeting last week!

Pink Heart - Heart in Hand

I love Heart in Hand designs. Cecelia Turner is a phenomenal designer, and I have done quite a few of her "heart" designs. I have a thing for hearts. The finished size on this is approximately 2" x 2". I am also very happy to say that I have tried to do a little bit of stitching lately, and should have another piece done shortly.

As with knitting, working on something like this is a comfort to me, as it has been over the years. When I am working on these creations, my mind is occupied and not dwelling on less comforting thoughts and circumstances. It certainly is cheaper than therapy.

Malabrigo Cardi

I had a few skeins of Malabrigo and I wanted to make something special. Using Barbara Walker's first treasury, I found a nice pattern that I thought would make a nice detail for a cardigan. I cheated a little, looking at few other patterns for a guide to stitches and basic pattern details. The results you see above. When I have the opportunity, I will write a patten for it. It will take a little work to decipher my notes!

I used 2 1/2 skeins of Malabrigo worsted in the color Hollyhock.