Nov 2, 2009

WOO HOO HOO HOO HOO.



The Riddle
The Drawn Thread
32ct. Barn Owl linen
Needlepoint and Gloriana silk

It's finished! Fee-nee-toe. Ka-poot. Zee End. Despite my very best efforts to actually put the last stitch to linen before the stroke of midnight on November 1st, I just didn't quite make it. Aunt Chrissy was here to cheer me on, and we even took advantage of the time change to grab that extra hour, but I made a ridiculous mistake on the final flower and had to frog. The judges deducted points for delay of game, but I was able to try again yesterday and I didn't move until the very last piece of silk was crossed, anchored, and snipped. Woo Hoo for me! In looking back over all of my stitching, I do believe that this is the largest piece I've ever attempted. Whew.

After the big finish, I went upstairs to play a bit and managed to re-stock my basket full of WHATEVER THE H-E-DOUBLE TOOTHPICKS I FELT LIKE! What a refreshing change of pace! I forgot how lovely guilt free stitchy indulgence can be...me likey!

My first choice was Laura J. Perin's Idaho Star from her American Quilt Series. I think I mentioned it before...I'm stitching this one with Vineyard Silks. During the colorization process last night I realized that I needed a few extra colors, so I found some Silk and Ivory and a Mandarin Floss to add to the mix. I think it's going to be tres' cool beens when finished:

Then, just because I liked the feeling of completing a WIP I added Lilly Frog:

And Wandering:

And The Big Zipper/Live, Laugh, Love:


Then I rummaged around in my Autumn basket and found some new pieces to start! First is a piece that I didn't even realize I had, Moonlit Garden by Blackbird Designs. I had a crappy linen pulled for it, so I switched it out and decided to use Days Gone By linen from Silkweaver:

Frederika is a piece that I've admired on several blogs, so I decided to give it a try. I have a piece of 40ct. Pearled Barley linen for this one, and since I've never worked with 40ct. before, I promise to give it my best college try before giving up in disgust and switching it out to a 32ct:
And finally we have The Drawn Thread's Autumn Arbor. I wish I knew what the heck the linen is for this one, because it's got some lovely buttery tones that I think will look real swell with the silks:

Stewey had a rather quiet Halloween, but we did manage to get a rousing game of PUMPKIN played before Mommie Dearest here got a little too chilly for comfort. I'm not sure of the rules of the game just yet, but all I know is that this is the first time in four years that my dog has actually acted like a dog (a not a fussy little gentleman who doesn't think he's a dog), so I'm not complaining one bit. Damn dog.

"I wonder how long I have to continue with this ridiculous charade before the old lady will figure out that I really AM a fussy little gentleman who isn't really a dog? I want to put on my silk smoking jacket and get back to my movie. Damn Mommie."

41 comments:

  1. WOW! Double well done, that's beautiful stitching and you achieved your November 1st goal!
    I see now why there wasn't a post earlier - you were buried under new projects. Have fun.

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  2. OH, my dear Coni,what a delightful and lovely finish you have there. Me thinks that one needs framing up toot-sweet! It is most simply gorgeous! You should be so proud. And that froggie--I may have to do one, its so absolutely cute! The other projects you've pulled look very interesting also--but that 40 count linen? A tip that Miss Linda at HOS gave me has always worked very well for me. Wear 2 pairs of cheaters. My regular glasses are bifocals but not strong enough to stitch with, so I wear a pair of cheater reading glasses instead. Doing 40 count, I put another pair right over the first pair and can see quite well, unless I happen to look up at the teevee and don't quite look up far enough to see over the tops of both pairs. ICK! And I can only do that for about an hour or so before getting a headache. But, it sure does help 'seeing' the stitches instead of guessing at where they are.
    hugs
    Debs

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  3. Congratulations! Always knew you could do it.

    My hint for that 40 count linen is to get one of those Daylight Magnifying things. They come in two sizes (the shorter one is green, and the longer one [c 14"] is black), and they clip on to your stretcher bars or q-snaps. They have a gooseneck thing and you can adjust the height from your fabric until you get the right focus. I even use them on 28 count and it makes it look (through the magnifier) like 14 or 12 count. It's wonderful!

    I can't wait to see how you progress with your "new" projects.

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  4. WOW!!! You did it!!!! It's gorgeous!

    I love all your new stash you've pulled to work on. 40ct.?? OMG...I was at my LNS this morning looking for fabric for a P. Buckley Moss chart and the lady handed me a 40ct. linen!! I told her I'd go blind trying to work on that so I opted for 32ct. instead. I even have to only do small areas at a time with 32ct. because I get a headache...dang!!

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  5. Coni, The Riddle is gorgeous. Congrats on a job well done and almost meeting your deadline.

    Love the snaps of Stewey! Such a little gentleman.

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  6. Good for you Coni! It looks terrific! You have earned your playtime and have chosen some really nice pieces. I can't wait to see the progress you make. Lily frog is so cute!!!! We had a really wet Halloween so my poor Grace Kelly didn't get to play pumpkin and we barely got to bark at any tricky treaters at all.

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  7. Congrats on the finish. It is gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous.

    As for your new line up. Like them all especially the BBD piece since I have started it too. :)

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  8. WOO HOO HOO HOO HOO 'ing right with you Coni! So many congratulations flying right at you for sticking to your guns and completing your project (almost) in time! I am proud of you.
    Now we get to cheer you on with your new projects - all are so very interesting and I for one will enjoy the WIP journey with you.
    Milo says "rrrwwuff"! to Stewie too.

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  9. Congratulations on your finish; I'm envious of all the beautiful projects you pulled out to work on.

    But, (yes, I know you don't start a sentence with "but"). That is the cutest picture of Stewey. He looks like a true JRT running through the fields with his "find." What an adorable little man.

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  10. The Riddler is absolutely gorgeous!! Well done!

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  11. I did a little digging for you and came up with the fabric that is in the Drawn Thread kit: 32ct Summer Khaki Linen

    Here is the link:
    http://www.drawnthread.com/Chart%20Pages/autumnarbor.html

    Hope it helps!!

    Wonderful finish, by the way!!!

    Julie

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  12. Congratulations on a wonderful finish! It looks terrific! And look at the the wonderful projects you have lined up! What fun...

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  13. Beautiful work, as always I see. You did good! Enjoy Your Basket of 'New' Projects. Looks like you're in for lots of stitchy fun.

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  14. Well done, its gorgeous, congratulations on your lovely finish

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  15. Congrats on the finish. :)

    I love the look of all the pretties you have lined up.

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  16. Congratulations on finishing The Riddle - it looks great! Also - congrats on achieving your pre November goals, you're a stronger woman than I. Enjoy your new starts, they're gorgeous!

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  17. That's a beautiful piece, the colors are wonderful. Congrats on the finish!

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  18. Good for you! What a great finish. You are an inspiration. And good for Stewey; he might find he enjoys being a dog.

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  19. How lovely to have all those new projects. Be sure and tell Stewey that orange is his color.

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  20. Coni, your Riddle is gorgeous and you have some lovely projects in your basket. Enjoy!

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  21. Woo Hoo is right Coni! Congratulations on your finish. It's beautiful and you must have been so happy to have it finished. I love all your new projects, especially the needlepoint ones. I can't wait to see your progress of all of them!!

    If 40 count linen makes you fearful, it just takes a little bit of time to get used to it! You'll love how the stitches look. But if you find it hard to see, I bought a Might Brite magnifier lamp at Hobby Lobby with a 40% coupon and it made all the difference in the world.

    Anyway, a huge congratulations on your finish!!!

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  22. Congratulations on your beautiful finish and your success on sticking with your goal! Most of your new projects (both WIPs and otherwise) have color schemes that reflect the fall season wonderfully!

    Stewey looks like he might have been actually having fun acting like a dog. Maybe he should try it more often! :-)

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  23. Congrats on the finish! It looks fabulous! OMG look at all your new projects!! Frederika is on my wish list...but it would definitely be on 32ct. You'll have to let us know how it goes on the 40...I'm too chicken to try.

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  24. Congrats on the beautifully hugh Riddle finish. I love the projects you have added to your basket, some of my very favorites and you have a few new things that are so pretty they may end up on my wish list. Happy Stitching, CJ ok;-)

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  25. hooray for your riddle finish
    well done
    and glad that the frog has jumped back in your basket
    brings a smile
    and fredricka does look enticing
    have fun

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  26. Congrats on your big finish!! It is so much fun to go and pull new projects...even old ones not yet completed.

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  27. Way to go on the finish! I envy your focus!

    Now I want to get my Laura Perin design out and start it, but I'll restrain myself and keep trying to finish stuff. I'm anxious to see yours progress.

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  28. AWESOME!! I like the line up of whats to come.

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  29. Congrats on the finish! It is very pretty. Looking forward to watching the progress on the next round!

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  30. The Riddle looks fantastic! You did a marvelous job with it.

    Congratulations on sticking with your WIP only stitching until Nov. 1st. You must be so very proud of yourself and you should be!

    The new charts you've pulled to stitch all look wonderful and I am looking forward to watching them grow in future posts!

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  31. Oh, well done! The Riddle looks stunning!

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  32. Hi Coni :)
    I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the Drawn Thread finish. Absolutely adore it!
    And all your WIPS...and new starts that you've got in your basket...*sigh*
    Hey question if you please. That big Zipper...I sorta kinda like it, are you stitching it on the large count with pearl cottons?

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  33. That was fast! And it's lovely. I do adore her designs. Congrats on the finish!

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  34. Congrats on the finish! Gorgeous piece.

    Love all your guilt free stitching. That frog is adorable and I love Fredrika. The only way I can stitch on 40 count is to use readers :-).

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  35. I have been blown away by your feat! Congrats on acheiving your goal.

    I love, love, LOVE that pattern that you have labeled "The Big Zipper/Live, Laugh, Love". I've searched and I can't seem to find it online anywhere. I would love some more details on the pattern.......please email me (address is in my profile) if you know if I can still find it.

    Thanks for the stash enhancement idea. I won't feel guilty in the least!

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  36. Coni: Congratulations on your big finish! And I'm especially glad to see you're celebrating your spectacular finish in the time-honored tradition of the best stitchers...namely: "FINISH ONE -- START 3 (or 4, or 5) NEW ONES!"
    Yee Haw - on to the next project!!! LAURA

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  37. I AM SOOOO PROUD OF YOU...not only did you finish a beautiful piece of handwork...but (more importantly) you stuck to your goal!! That is awesome!

    Now, you just stitch your little heart out...oh, wait, you have been...well, continue then...LOL!

    Love the upcoming projects...that frog is a cutie!

    HAPPY STITCHIN'
    Terri

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  38. Woo Hoo is right!!! Congrats on finishing The Riddle! Thank you for singing Happy Birthday to me! You were so sweet to do so - and I thought your key was just fine!!

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  39. Woop de doo! Way to go, Coni. Nice, nice finish of a big fat project. You've been a very good girl.

    40-count linen is my absolute favorite. If you decide it's not for you, just stop and go to another fabric. This is supposed to be fun, not work.

    I love Stewey with a pumpkin in his mouth.

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  40. The Riddle looks great. I have this one on my list, so it was nice to see the progress reports. Color me crazy, butI find the stitching of letters to be easy. Goes really fast. Not that I want a lot of pieces with lettering. Love those Vineyard Silks.

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  41. My congratulations on finishing this wonderful piece. And what do I see in your autumn baskets - so many absolutely beautiful charts to start. I'm still drooling over them ...

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