Sinister Craftiness

Christmas in Virginia by Betsy Morgan
2011 exclusive Christmas in July ornament, Swan Sampler Guild
Stitched with Gloriana silks and DMC perle cotton

This pretty needle book was a quick stitch and finish, and will make a lovely year-round stitching accessory.

I’m picking away at a few other Christmas ornaments and trying to finish up the Button-up Birdies series.  Thing Two is impatient with my lack of progress, but now that he’s in kindergarten, he’s not around to nag me — and I can actually make more progress on stitching — so we’ll see how many small and Christmasy things pop up on the blog over the next few weeks.  The empty nest is taking some getting used to, but I’m loving all the extra stitching time.

On April 30 I attended a finishing class hosted by the Northwest Sampler Guild.  Sherri Jones is a wonderful teacher; very helpful and friendly.  This was my first time taking a class and first time meeting my local sampler guild.  It was so much fun to spend the day with fellow stitchers!  I look forward to attending future guild meetings and classes.

Sherri had brought several current teaching projects to show, including the Lounging Hare Sewing Box (box made by the same craftsman who made the Blue Ribbon cherry wood box), the Button Brag Book, Ring of Roses Reticule, and other projects whose names I’ve forgotten but they were all gorgeous.  There was also a table of past class projects for sale, which vanished quickly.  I picked up a cute small, the Rabbit’s Round Tuit, which will hopefully make an appearance on this blog in the future.

But for now, on to the Blue Ribbon Sewing Box:

The handcrafted cherry wood box is a replica of an antique sewing box.  The ivory scrimshaw ruler, thread winders and plaque (created from piano keys) are optional accessories.  The slip pockets and smalls are stitched on 32 count linen with NPI and HDF silks.

Thing Two loves the little box and its smalls.  He says, “There’s a party inside!”

See pictures of the Blue Ribbon Sewing Box, Lounging Hare, and Button Brag Book on A Gathering of Embroiderers 2011 schedule.

Long time, no post!  I’ve been stitching away for the past month, but nothing is ready to show off yet.

First, an “interspecies” thread exchange.  My pal Knitika agreed to knit a pair of her lovely handwarmers for me.  In exchange, I’m giving her a completely useless Hardanger centerpiece.  I think I’m getting the better part of the bargain in this exchange.

It’s a simple pattern, but the edge proved to be a little tricky. Working on it caused my fingers to stiffen and become sore, so I could only stitch on it just a little, every other day or so.  That slowed the progress down considerably, much to my frustration.  But I finally finished the edge on Monday, and the rest of the surface stitches are flying along painlessly, so I hope I can have this finished soon.

While I was picking away at the centerpiece edge, my materials kit arrived for the class I’m taking from the Northwest Sampler Guild.  This is the Blue Ribbon Sewing Box, taught by Sherri Jones of Patrick’s Woods.  Here’s a photo from the class page:

Isn’t it gorgeous?  Hopefully mine will look something like it.  We’ll get the cherry wood box and scrimshaw pieces at the class.  Meanwhile I’m doing my homework and stitching up the slip pockets and smalls:

Last, my brother mentioned that his wife “really likes those pincushion things you make” and suggested that I make her one for her upcoming birthday.   I’ll show it off properly next week, but for now here’s a glimpse at the birthday biscornu:

Other bits and pieces include:  amusing Thing Two with more Button-up Birdies (stitched, not finished), Crazy January Challenge projects (but nothing significant to show yet) and another pair of peacocks is almost complete.  Lots of nearlys and almosts!