Friday, January 13, 2012

My First Craft Love


There are so many things that we wish we had done yesterday, so few that we feel like doing today.
~Mignon McLaughlin

Thank goodness it's Friday.  This has seemed like an eternal week since the previous two weeks were short ones.  Listen to me.  You would think I worked outside the house.  I think that I impose more on myself than any job ever did.  I do have less stress but I say that I probably don't have any more idle time than I did before.  I'm still trying to get back into 'normal mode' - coming off of the 'vacation' time.  Taking time to blog still is seeming like a chore but I know next week things will be back to normal.......if you can ever can consider me normal.  Our weekend is brewing up to be extremely busy.  We are in town this weekend but it seems as though most of the hours are already occupied with something to do.  I'm sure I will be glad when Monday arrives.

===========================

LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Clock

Sitting here trying to figure out what to write about, I kept hearing the sound 'tic toc, tic toc'.  So why not share some interesting facts about clocks......
* Clocks made before 1660 had only one hand. It was the hour hand.
* The minute hand was invented by Jost Burgi. Burgi's invention was part of a clock made for the famous astronomer Tycho Brahe. Brahe needed an accurate clock for his stargazing.
*  In 1504, the first portable (but very accurate) timepiece was invented in Nuremberg, Germany by Peter Henlein. The first reported person to actually wear a watch on the wrist was the French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal (1623-1662). With a piece of string he attached a pocket watch to his wrist.
* Horology is the science or art of measuring time. It is a science that started in the days of the Babylonians, who came up with the idea of the sixty second minute and the sixty minute hour
* An early prototype of the alarm clock was invented by the Greeks around 250 B.C. The Greeks built a water clock where the raising waters would both keep time and eventually hit a mechanical bird that triggered an alarming whistle.
* There are no clocks in Las Vegas Casinos. There are no windows either. They don't want you to interrupt your losing streak by realizing what time it is.
* A Grandfather clock is over 6 ft. in height. A Grandmother clock is 6 ft. or under, and a Granddaughter clock is less than 5 ft.
* There are all kinds of phobias in the world. Chronomentrophobia is the fear of clocks

============================

CONFESSION

I have a confession to make.  As far as crafts go, my first addiction love is counted cross stitch.  Much like quilting, I like taking a pattern and a blank piece of cloth and watching something develop.  I have been cross stitching for over 30 years.  I have taken a few breaks but always go back to the craft.  And every time I start back up I wonder why I ever stopped - lol!  I am currently working on......

Cirque des Carreaux by Tracy Horner for Ink Circles.  I am stitching on cream 14 count Aida cloth stitched with two strands of  DMC #4240.  The floss is a variegated blue to very dark green.  I have been working on this for about a month.

Here's a close up hopefully showing the floss color just a little better.

Here is a piece that I stitched about 20 years ago.......

(Sorry about the reflection on the glass)
With this piece I won Best In Show at our local county fair.  If I remember correctly, it is stitched on 35 count linen over two with two strands of floss.  The pattern is called English Cottage Sampler designed by Teresa Wentzler.  While digging through my old books, I found another pattern of hers that I just might have to stitch.

So now I'm trying to divide my time between stitching and quilting.  Some days I split the day and spend half the day quilting and half the stitching.  Other times I will spend a full day quilting followed by a full day of stitching.  Really, I could use more hours in the day to enjoy doing what I do.

==========================

TODAY'S GOAL

Today I'm going to start working on a UFO!

===========================

GIVEAWAYS

FabricWorm is having a giveaway.  You could win 12 Weekend Inspired Fat Quarters.  This giveaway ends Monday, January 16, at 8:30 am PST.

Quilt Hollow is having a giveaway.  You could win the Sweetheart Houses BOM from Shabby Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Sunday, January 15.

Sew Can She is having a giveaway.  You could win 2 yards of gorgeous Monaluna Circa 52, Tree Stripes Sun.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, January 24, around midnight.

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win a Power Pop fat quarter bundle.  This giveaway ends  Wednesday, January 18.

Sewing Machines Plus is having a giveaway through Facebook.  You could win a $200, $100, or $50  shopping spree either online or at their store in San Marcos, CA.  This giveaway ends Monday, January 16, at 10:00 am PST.

Desert Sky Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win the pattern and needed materials for a wonderful pincushion.  This giveaway ends Monday, January 16.

===========================

FINAL THOUGHT



35 comments:

Maria said...

Hope you get back intoyour normal mode soon Linda.
Your cross stitch is beutiful. No wonder you won a prize with your work.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I just love Wentzler patterns- especially her fantasy ones. This is quite lovely and I like the verigated you are using. Good luck with your UFO.

Little Penpen said...

I love the piece you are currently working on; the variegated threads give it such a unique look. And I can see why you won a prize for the finished piece ... I cannot IMAGINE cross stitching something so complex. I used to cross stitch a lot when I was younger, but when my eyes started making me wear reading glasses, that was the end of cross stitch for me. (for now anyway) I love your posts!

krisgray said...

Pretty, pretty cross stitch project - love that varigated floss!

Cheryl said...

I am feeling like blogging is a chore as well Linda. Wonder why?
Cross stitching is back on my list as well and good luck with working on a UFO! Good goal for the new year.

Megan Harmeyer said...

I've always loved your counted cross stitch. And that blue variegated you're working on now is so pretty! Happy weekend. :)

Needled Mom said...

It has been a strange week. The last few have me so mixed up.

I never knew there was a graddaughter clock. Interesting clock facts.

Your cross stitch is just gorgeous! I love the varigated threads. I tend to work on quilting during the day and my handstitching in the evenings. Like you, I have always enjoyed the CCS. I have a nativity that I have been working on for several years and have to keep putting it away. One of the Christmases I will finish it!!

I hope you don't have to do your errands in the rain this weekend.

sunny said...

Your cross stitch is beautiful! I used to cross stitch and crochet, but eventually stopped when I took up scrapbooking and card making. Somehow I came back to the 'needle' arts when Istarted quilting, and I found that I really love cross stitching still! I usually stitch in the evenings while watching tv with dh. Have a nice weekend!

Sunnybec said...

Your cross stitch is lovely! I did cross stitch but I haven't done much since I began quilting. It's the same old story, so much to do....not enough time!

rubyslipperz1052 said...

My jaw dropped to my knees (it had a few hills to get over first, tho)!! YOUR cross-stitch is wonderFULL! I always envy cross-stitcher's work! I've attemped a few meager/simple projects and I miserably fail. I just seem to make too many mistakes =(
...and, how...ON earth...to you see those teeeensy spots where the needle should go?

Missing Clocks...I've been quite a few quilt shops and there's no clocks on the wall either. ummmm... =)

hugZ,
annie
anniesrubyslipperz.com

Hilachas said...

What beautiful cross-stitch work you're doing. I cross-stitched a tablecloth for my mother so I know how long it takes. Counted cross-stitch is another of my "loves" also. There's just not time to cross-stitch and quilt...

Susan said...

I love the thread you chose for that XS. It's so pretty, and just my colors. =) You always post such interesting facts about things. I would come for that part all by itself, because my mind is a trivia magnet! LOL Thanks so much for posting about my giveaway, too.

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

It's just plain hard to get back to a routine after the holidays. Your cross stitch is lovely. I'm in awe! I, too, love counted cross stitch and quilting. I have to balance my time between them. Mom always told me a change is as good as a rest...well sometimes!

Joanna said...

Your counted cross stitch is gorgeous. I can see why your older project won best in show. I'm a big fan of counted cross stitch, too. Enjoy your stitching and your weekend.

Linda said...

Your cross stitch is beautiful! Have you ever considered combining it with your quilting? Maybe cross stitch some blocks to include in a quilt or something?
Love the cartoon at the end of your post!

quiltercaroline said...

I absolutely love the cross stitch you are working on - I think it is the one colour (varigated I know) which makes the design just sing. Please show it on the blog again - would love to see how it developes. C

Gene Black said...

I used to enjoy counted cross stitch, but as my eyes have aged, it has become too difficult for me.
Your cross stitch looks amazing.

Linda in Calif. said...

Yes, there are too many projects for the amount of hours we are given in a day. Cross Stitching is sooo relaxing. This blue one is certainly a "joy for ever". Just beautiful, but so is the other one - very, very beautiful!

PolkaDotClassic said...

Is beautiful !
Love the color and design :)
Like you I love to cross stitch too
Have a wonderful weekend
Marta

elizabeth said...

Oh so pretty! I have s piece I would love to finish, but just haven't gotten back in to cross stitch. I do love it and both your old and new pieces are gorgeous : )

Average Quilter said...

I know exactly what you mean. I go to bed at night thinking what I didn't do and what I could have done if only ..... Your cross stitching is amazing. That is one thing I never attempted.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Your counted cross stitch is beautiful! I went through a time when I stopped quilting and did counted cross stitch like crazy, then it got too hard to see the tiny threads and I switched back to quilting. Seems like we all love being creative!

Barbara said...

Your cross-stitch is beautiful. I haven't done cross stitch in years, but I used to enjoy it. I made a sampler for my youngest son, and I started one for my oldest son that I never finished. Maybe when my first grandbaby comes along, I'll finish it for him/her.

I usually spend at least a couple of ours of my day doing embroidery. The rest of the time I'm quilting. Nothing to confess, Linda. Variety is good for the soul.

Angie in SoCal said...

I so enjoy your posts and your cross stitch work is beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

Dirt Road Quilter said...

I just spent a bit of time yesterday taking photos of cross-stitch projects I've stitched through the years and am planning a post. I had abandoned it for a long time and only recently picked it up again. I love your current project and must look into that varigated floss. Your sampler is just lovely!

Sue SA said...

The blue cross stitch is simply gorgous. It was from cross stitching that I got into quilting too!

Wendy said...

Interesting, your story is similar to mine. I used to LOVE cross stitch and just recently dug out a UFO from several years ago(not gonna say exactly, haha)and have really been enjoying working on it again. It's almost finished and I can't wait to share it along with a few others I still have. Your work is beautiful, especially the blue project. Awesome!

Anne said...

Love your gorgeous cross stitched pieces. I especially love samplers and blue on white, which reminds me of Blue Willow china. A while back, I acquired a huge stack of cross stitch patterns at an estate sale. I came across them while cleaning the other day and made a mental note to get back to cross stitching again.

I got a chuckle out of your info about clocks, especially the term chronomentrophobia. I recall being terribly afraid of a clock in my hospital room a few years ago. I had just opened my eyes after undergoing surgery. My husband and my doctor were standing next to the clock, affixed to the wall in front of me. I wanted to demand that it be removed, but I was unable to speak. LOL! My husband still teases me whenever we see large clocks at stores.

Richard Rose said...

Very impressive. I've been looking at cross stitch patterns lately, not to do as cross stitch but for intarsia work. I can also empathize with you on the "not enough hours in the day". My hours are going to be in even more demand this year as I will be going to college 4 days a week.

Pokey said...

I so enjoy reading your facts of the day, and all your clever work you share. Just had to say hi to you today to know I'm around, lol.

I love clocks, I inherited that passion from my Dad.

Your blue crosswork is so beautiful, the variation in the color adds such depth...I think you would win a ribbon on this one too!
:-}

I hope Mr. Snowman sticks to his broom-handle convictions and wins out against the thief....

You gave me a smile again today!
hugs, pokey

Lynda said...

Beautiful counted cross stitch! I'm afraid I'm not patient enough for that craft. I have an unfinished piece from 32 years ago!!!

Barb said...

Your cross stitch is just wonderful, I can see why that one won best in show.

Quiet Quilter said...

Oh, how I wish I could cross stitch again! Easier to carry around unless it is on a roller like yours..my eyes just won't take it any more...

Lovely design, BTW...

Miss Hillbilly said...

I used to love cross stitch but just did it so much that I was so happy to fall with quilting. Now I am wanting to get into rug making. Someday.

Your cross stitch is beautiful!

Health is Wealth said...

Apna Showroom Baby's Cotton Panties/Bloomers/Underwear woolen dress for baby girls (Multicolour, 1-2 Years)-12 Pieces amazon online apna showroom
APNA SHOWROOM Baby Girl's Frock Knee Length Dress 18-24 months
APNA SHOWROOM Baby Girl's Frock Knee Length Dress 18-24 months
Apna Showroom Zigzag Wave Black Metal Unisex Hairband Pack of 2with desent look
Apna Showroom Men's and Women's Metal Hair Bands (Black) Combo set of 5 with desent look
Apna Showroom Men's and Women's Metal Hair Bands (Black) Combo set of 5
Apna Showroom Men's and Women's Metal Hair Bands (Black) Combo set of 5
Apna Showroom Baby Girls' & Baby Boys' Cotton Panties

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...