Framed and Hung

I just realized that I haven't posted here about my Home Sweet Home project which I finished last November 2010.  It is a pattern made by DMC Philippines, I'm just not sure what year they published it, but probably not so long ago as I still see some copies of it around.

Sorry for the shadow and the angle as there will be light reflections if I will photograph it straight front.  We placed it in our porch, so when people comes to our house, that's the first thing they will see.  I choose the green matting because of the leaves, but I didn't expect it to be that dark.  I planned on having it changed to a  lighter matting but eventually, I just left it as it is to lessen the "girly" look and make it appear just a little bit formal (?).  I am not sure I used the right term here :D

By the way, some friends informed me that my previous post, the one of Clothes clips etc., has some photos, specially those of the Morning Lake needle organizer,  not appearing properly.  I fixed it and you can now see ALL the pictures in there.

This is all for now as I'm feeling so lazy right now.  I just want to sit and stitch the day away.

Happy stitching everyone!  Have a good and enjoyable weekend!

:-)

Clothes Clips, Styrofoam, Clipboard

Yes, you're reading it right, clothes clips.  And what do clothes clips have to do with stitching?

I don't use hoops, scroll frames or lap stands.  I just stitch in hand and here's how I do it:

With this way of stitching, I can't do without these:

Mini wooden clips that I bought from the bookstore

And when I found these at the supermarket, I almost jump with joy.  Because it's so hard to find these nowadays.  All I see are those plastic clothes clips which I used before but they slip from the fabric.

Regular-sized wooden clips

I laughed when I saw in the label "Strong Lumber Clip" because the words "strong" and "lumber" is, for me, synonymous to muscles and masculine, so much the opposite of "cross stitch" which brings to mind the word "feminine" and "slender or nurturing hands".  Sorry for the babble :D

Now what about the styrofoam?... 

I use plenty of needles when I cross stitch because I don't like the process of re-threading a needle everytime I change colors.  And before, I just stick the needle to the bobbin like this:

Then I saw in the forums that some people use this Pako Needle Organizer 

and they said that it's a big help specially when you're dealing with confetti stitches.  So, I thought that I will need it when I start doing my HAED (Heaven And Earth) and Golden Kite patterns.  But everybody knows how much colors a HAED or Golden Kite chart requires.  So, if I will buy this Pako organizer, I would probably need two.  And it cost around $20 each.  So an idea came to my mind.  Instead, I bought this, again, from the book store:

Styrofoam, 1 inch thick, around $.50

And these are my needle organizers that I cut from it:

Needle organizer for Homebound

Morning Lake needle organizer

I just taped to the styrofoam the symbols page and voila, instant needle organizer.  So there, I was able to save around $40 or more.  And there's still more to use for future projects.

And last but not the least...another thing that I can't stitch without - my clipboard!

I'm so happy when I found this at the Japanese store.  I like that it is bigger than the average clipboard that you can buy from the book stores.  Its size is:  15 inches x 11.5 inches.

This is all for now.  Thanks for dropping by and happy stitching weekend everyone!

Heavenly Stitchin' Moment

Last year, I featured in a post about my favorite needlecraft store.  And now, here's another LNS (local needlecraft store) that I frequently go to:  Heavenly Stitchin' Moment.  Again, please be reminded that I was not being paid by the owner/store to feature them, I just want to post about the stores that sell cross stitch things here in our area so that people will know where to buy their materials.

Whenever I'm in that store, I feel like a child in a toy shop.  I don't want to leave.  I can stay there for hours and hours and just look at all the things that they are selling.  Actually, it's a hobby store because they sell things from cross stitch, origami, latch hook, scrapbook materials, miniatures, paper tole to big, big boxes of puzzles.  (I once get addicted to puzzles but I got overwhelmed by all the pieces that to me seems all look the same that I eventually ditch that hobby.) Okay, let the pictures do the talking:

Cross stitch

Cross stitch

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustable cross stitch scroll

Miniature

Puzzles

Cross Stitch Kits

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the photos.  Thanks for drooling :-D :-D :-D and happy stitching everyone!

For those residing in the Philippines, the store featured above is located at the SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.  For inquiries and to ask about their other branches, you can call them at: 556-0133.

My Prayer Finished!

I'm so happy "My Prayer" is now finished.  I tweaked the lattice work (those criss-cross stitches) by adding a blending filament to the thread.  It is supposed to be one strand light green floss only, but I wanted to test if I can tackle the blending filament easily and thankfully, I did.  I would like to keep this but I think it is meant for my friend who has a diabetic retinopathy.  I wanted to have it framed but she said not to.  Her reason is that, if eventually she becomes blind, she won't be able to see it anymore, and when that time comes, she wanted to be able to touch the piece, specially the letters, the Prayer.

Here's to show you the lattice work.  I am sorry I am not good in taking photos.

As I mentioned in my last post that I will be posting some of Bobbie's photos here, she sent me these, her Hummingbird-Flowers project.  This is one of my favorite designs from Kustom Krafts:

Her finished piece:

Isn't it beautiful?  Such an excellent job by her.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and also a big thank you to those who write comments on my posts.  They mean so much to me!

Hugs to you dear friends and readers.  Happy stitching!