February 2021 OMG

 It's too late to link up with Elm Street Quilts however, I plan to finish January's leftover Pilgrim  wall  hanging as well as the Sewing machine pincushion photo below, and get the Kim Diehl BOM finished from last year that needs layering quilting and finishing (photo will be shared later).  

Bernina 440 stitched embroidery with the  metallic thread, no problem except the wonkiness from the user artistic license placing that spool of thread on the top. 
Which will stay as it is and how when I was starting out (age  7) the spool on top would "dance" with me going as fast as I could bringing up fond memories.   LOL

Below are a few of the tools I use for tracking the needles.  

This first tool - the Needle Tracker lets me know which needle is in the machine as there used to be (esp. pre co-vid times) elongated times that I endured no machine sewing.   I keep this just beneath my sewing machine, handy but not in the way.  

The next is a needle wallet to store some unique needles I use.  Like Joan Shay's appli-bond, titanium and those chrome needles I just received from Schmetz.   I store this on top of my needle container shared in my last post.

This last tool is placed on the same needle storage box in the top drawer and is for lightly used needles that still have more life left in them.  It even has blank spaces that I can customize the type and write on or off for special notations.  I call this my needle parking garage.

Thought I'd share a glimpse of how I organize some of those parts of my hobby not yet shared.  

TTFN,

Jane

Nice Surprise!

 A package came in the mail that my husband asked what I ordered now? 

"I didn't", I replied then went to see.  

Oh!!!!     It's Happy mail.  My heart raced a tad and a smile came along with a feeling of amazing wonder.  Just like Birthdays and Christmas mornings.

It's from Schmetz.com so I quickly Opened the package.  Just  imagine my surprise.   A package of Chrome (professional)Needles, the ABC pocket guide and a coated tag displaying the color bands identities.  Love it!

During an Island Batik box opening from a blogger I follow, I noticed her January box had the "grabbit too" tag and loved that concept.  I had printed out the same illustration on oak tag paper for my  identification purposes and it was a bit worn looking.  When I saw hers I went to Schmetz to let them know I truly loved their quality products and was a huge fan of their needles especially and where could  I find that plastic coated tag.  The above was their response. 

So you all know I truly love their products here is the back up needle storage in the top drawer of my sewing table.  Many of you already know that the closest store for me is a 2 hour drive and that's to a  Joann's and any quilt shops are even further. So anytime the husband and I travel, I'd scope out the route with stores and shops available to store up my quilting supplies while going through those areas even the many trek for his health check ups in Massachusetts and neighboring states.  

During sales, I'll shore up the "stock on hand" at fantastic prices as you can see by the alphabeticalized filing of those specialty needles.  You can see the 3 "gross" needle boxes I have for the normal piecing needles (and I've already gone through one of those) as I do change my needle often.  

Thank you Rhonda and Schmetz, Inc. - You're the best!

First Needlepoint Finish 2020 - Two Cabins

It's back from the framers and I loved stitching it.   I figure I'd share the finish after framing was done with all the information shared at the same time.

Designed by Nancy's Needle and the stitching started on December 23, 2019 would you believe it was finished on January 12, 2020 (it's a first for me tracking the start and the finish dates of a project - I probably will continue doing this).
Stitched on 20 Count Mono Canvas as instructed with the called for threads using a #22 Tapestry needle with one strand of:

Snow 09 - Silver 
Watercolours  063 - Black Forest

Watercolours  083 - Pine Forest

Watercolours  136 - Cedar

Watercolours  137 - Copper

Watercolours  159 - Silver Blue

Watercolours  196 - Sable

#5 Perle Cotton 4045 - Evergreen Forest

#5 Perle Cotton 4140 - Driftwood

#12 Tapestry Braid 3203 - Cat's Eye

DMC Floss #310 - Black - 2 strands used with #26 needle

Stitched with the called for Stitches:

Slanted Gobelin

Bargello Tuck (securing tail ends of threads)

Mosaic Stitch

Long Stitch

Horizontal Straight Stitch 

Overall I enjoyed this project and it was easy for me to focus on.
I'll be gone for about a month visiting with my Mom.
TTFN,

Jane

December beginnings and November's New FO.....

Was  away for Thanksgiving and now that I'm home am getting the home ready for Christmas.  My creativity has hit a slump recently and  it's been slow progress with several UFOs.   My lungs are also giving me their usual fits that happens at this time of year too. 

 

 

After receiving an order from Annie's Catolog with items I thought could be helpful with marking the "Tweet Camping quilt" that I'd like to quilt more in three different area.  I received the Sullivans 6 in 1 marking pencil, not sure if I like this yet) and the Clover quilting transfer mesh. 

My ideas for more quilting on this quilt is"

1.  the brown sashing with a diamond row,
2. the wild print of birds fabric using either a small meander or quilt the outlines of the birds and flowers it contains
3.  the stacks of four blocks to be quilted with an X in each.

Since some of it is quilted, the measurements are a bit off and I'm trying to find the easest and best way to mark those diamond rows in that dark brown.  Wish me luck!

 

The lil' MIss Shabby June block is almost done. 

Only the flowers left to sew after they get marked (ah hum... for the fourth time that is!).

 

Started this next project in November as a NEW FO.  It's a counted cross stitch fob from Shephards Bush design called Scaredy Sheep.  It's been on my want to do some day list for several years so with  

Barb's New FO challenge, seems to be just the right push for me to start something new, thanks Barb!

 

While cleaning up to decorate I thought of hiding my CXS (counted cross stitch) project in a quote worthy box on the mantel.  Makes it readily available, but not so messy by setting it on a TV tray which is my usual mode.

Looks so much better doesn't it! 

 

Currently the stockings are hung, some decorations are out, and many gifts wrapped.  Who knows, perhaps I'll be ahead of the game this year.

The list of four for this week are:

• Flowers stitched onto Lil Miss Shabby
• 2 threads sewn onto Scaredy Sheep fob
• Start the knitting the slouchy hat                                                                                                                           (Need to purchase some knitting needles, I have everyother size but these!)
• Label PGD#1 advent calendar

Keep sane and warm,
Jane

Did you know that Schmetz needles has a "cheat sheet' of which needles are which for their color banded needles?
Here's a handy link where you can print out that chart in an 8x10 format or here for two 4x6 versions. 
I printed out both for a reference though I do have a needle wheel where I can select which needle is in my machine whenever I change it and that way I always know what is in my machine.  It's very handy and when I see another sale with these will get a couple more for the granddaughter's machine and my portable Bernina too.  They are that handy!