Aug 13, 2010

MOVING RIGHT ALONG

Please forgive my craptastic photographic skills today. Methinks I had one too many cups of coffee and my hands were all a-quiver or something.

Oh, before I forget....THANK YOU for all of your lovely comments about my finish. I know that some of you expressed concern that a purse would become snagged, soiled, ruined, etc., but please let me assure you that if I made that piece into a purse I would only carry in in the safety of my very own living room.

I'm not kidding.

When I think about all of the crap that I should have at my immediate disposal every waking minute of my life, I sometimes wonder why I don't just slap on Ye Ole Fanny Pack and be done with it. Besides...have you ever seen the Queen of England without her pocketbook? (I know, I know, walking from my bedroom to the kitchen to the living room and then back again isn't EXACTLY as long a trip as she has through Buckingham Palace, but hey...sometimes a girl just needs her freakin' purse.)

Aunt Chrissy and I went for sushi again last night. I, of course, had NOODLE BOWL (!). It was dee-lish and very much enjoyed on such a stupidly hot day. Today I'll go get some provisions for the weekend so that if the NOODLE BOWL (!) mood strikes me I'll be good to go with veggies and such.

After dinner, Aunt Chrissy asked me if I could take a look at some recent things she's added to her Fall Stitchy Basket. It seems that she is in a very Quaker mood, and has kitted up some positively gorgeous projects for the months ahead. Sometime I'll have to sneak over to her house and snap a few pics of her studio and stitching. She is, after all, the entire reason for my being here in the Stitchy Universe, so you can only imagine how perfectly lovely her stuff is. (Yeah, yeah, that was me admitting that my little sister is actually a much better stitcher than I am, and yeah yeah, it does sting a little on my heiniey that there's one more thing that she surpasses me with.)

But I regress....

When I came home I suddenly got the urge to do a little Quaker sumpin sumpin myself, so I fished around in the old stash and came up with Quaker Diamonds. And despite the late hour, I sat right down and put a few stitches in to see if this was what I was in the mood for.

Yup. Filled the bill quite nicely, thank you very much. I'm stiching this on 29 count Cafe Mocha linen and am using the Valdani threads that the chart calls for. I've never used them before and have to say that I'm really loving them. And I REALLY love the way you just use them "as is" right off the ball and don't have to strip and lay each stitch.

We're off like a herd of turtles to the weekend. Considering that the weather is still rather warm, I think we're looking at some serious Happy Chair time. I know that I need to do a thorough housecleaning in the morning, followed by a long talk with Sir Stewey about his propensity for watering all of the furniture, but that shouldn't' take too long. I fully expect him to do a "Talk to the paw, mo-ther" and then retreat to his fort for the duration.

Wherever you are is where I hope you want to be! Stay cool and safe and dry today! Woo Hoo!

19 comments:

  1. oooo.. That Quacker Diamond is going to be beautiful! I love those threads !! I may have to try them. Happy Friday The 13th!!!

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  2. Love the Quaker Diamonds -- I too must try the Valdani threads..my LNS has gotten tem in, but I haven't bought any yet...don't what I'm waiting for!

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  3. I have that chart too! And lovely to know about the Valdini. I will give them a go now! Hmmmmmm. I think I should look into starting a quaker or spot sampler too! Why not. I only have 6 others on the go right now. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

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  4. Oh my, Coni, I just returned from my first PT(pain & torture session after my new knee and feeling sort of, well, whatever, anyway I mistook your threads for chocolate laying on your piece!! But it is a lovely piece and I look forward to seeing it progress. Good luck with Stewey!!

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  5. Look forward to seeing your progress on Quaker Diamond. Looks beautiful!

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  6. Those Valdani threads look good enough to eat! Yum!

    Just realized the Stash Exchange at HoS is tomorrow. Are you and AC planning to attend?

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  7. I just love that chart "Quaker Diamonds" - I can't wait to see yours finished :)

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  8. I have been working with the Valdani threads and the Quaker Diamonds for about a month now. I am having some problems with knotting. I don't know if it is the wine that is the problem or the threads. Maybe you can help. I also noticed that you started on the bottom left. Hmmmmmm.
    Am I such a novice that I always start from the top? Or side? It never occurred to me that you could start at the bottom! Will the needlepoint police be knocking at your door?

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  9. Never having experienced or heard of Valdani threads, I'm curious. Are they more like pearle threads than stranded? Such glorious hues - will there be enough to complete the project? Wow, what a great chart? How long will it take you??? What inspirational viewing will take your fancy while stitching this? Will Stewie have to sub-edit your blog while you stitch??
    Eagerly awaiting your next installment. (I'd love a sister like Chrissy too!)
    Hugs

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  10. Liking the Q.D. - I've never worked with Valdini fibers. Have a good weekend, Coni, stay cool!

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  11. Coni ~ great start ~ I have the QD kitted up as well ~ maybe I will get it out and get moving on it.
    Will you be at the Midwest Stash Exchange?

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  12. Coni, I have Quaker Diamonds AND Quilts and Quakers, all kitted up and ready to go! Just wished I had some time on my hands ;)

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  13. All kitted up and ready to go on Lakeside 36 Buttercream (YUM). Can't wait to get going! Now, if I can only get my eyes off Tom Brady's buns for a moment (double YUM). Cheers!

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  14. Oh stop!!! This just amounts to stitchy "porn". :)
    I've officially been enabled - where's my visa card - must have this, must have this, must have ths!!!

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  15. I adore Quaker Diamond Coni!! I am looking forward to seeing this progress. I haven`t tried the Valdani threads, but have heard lots about them.

    I`m thinking I should send my cat to Stewey so they can discuss their potty habits. If there is the least bit of debris in the litter box, she hangs her bottom over the side and do-dos on the floor. It`s a race to keep the box scooped before she gets there (I have 2 cats, the other one is not so fussy). I don`t suppose you know a good pet psychiatrist?

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  16. I love this design!! Beautiful start! I have it kitted with the regular valadani (stranded), so I can stitch it on 40 ct. The fabric you are stitching it on is just gorgeous - can't wait to see more!

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  17. Coni,

    I too have Valdani threads and have yet to use them. :) But after seeing your start, I may have to make some pincushions with the threads and some Blackbird Designs! Souvenir of France comes to mind!

    Loved your Daisy finish - just lovely, and was thinking of ordering the newest one from Laura P. It's the long one that is a single color?? Not sure of the name - I like the green that she has, but would love to see it in the blue and the purple she mentions - do you have any idea what the color names are that she picked for those two? AND most important, can her designs work on Aida? I've not done canvas work before, and can see it being stitched quite nicely on Aida. What do you think?

    Hugs to you and Stewey, Aunt Chrissy and Bosco too!

    Jennifer H

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  18. Your blog is wonderful! I look forward to reading it every week, and Stewey is just the cutest! His antics keep me "in stitches"! I wonder if you would mind to drop me a note as I have several questions for you in re Quaker Diamonds. stitch4life@verizon.net

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  19. Aw, your pictures aren't bad! I love how beautiful the Quaker Diamond is looking.

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