Hardanger - "Reinhard's Choice, Wanda's Colors" - completed

 I didn't know it at the time but this project is now filed under "doily".  It is 9x9 inches.  It took 12 days to complete but I would say at least one of those days was spent trying to decide if I really wanted a "lacy buttonhole edge" (in German, Spitzenrand).

 I decided I did NOT want the Spitzenrand.  It seemed too fragile and it curled and just doesn't seem to lay correctly.  It's true, it would be something beautiful but if I am actually going to use the piece, it just didn't seem right.

The pictures here were taken before I ironed the piece.  Most of the time, that is true.  I am just so anxious to share the photos with you!  Yes, Susan, I cut out all those little holes on the edge separately!  I know I know....I'm crazy!!!

So now I have this lovely little doily thing and the big question is...what the heck do I do with it?  I think I may make 9 of them and somehow sew them or attach them together so that it can be used as a table piece.  I had a lot of fun making this piece (the pattern was out of a magazine) and so I will start making a 2nd one as well.  The 2nd one will be completely different colors though.  I thought of Mom a lot while making this....I know she loves Bargello!

The Table Piece - Hardanger - completed

 So, The Table Piece is finished.  What do you think?  I'm not completely wild about it, I have to admit but I had some color issues.

It does look nice on the table, I have to admit.

 I didn't post a picture of the back but, believe me, the back looks pretty much like the front!

Of course I've started the next project......

Hardanger - Table Piece progress

 So...What do you think?  Are the colors coming through better??

There is something weird going on with my blogs but I don't know what.  I hope you can see these pictures!

The Table Piece - Hardanger

 Here's what I'm working on now.  I don't really have a name other than "the Table Piece".  It is different than alot of my past Hardanger projects in that it is "open".  I personally love having every single inch of a piece filled with stitching but I thought I would do something different.

 I love the stitching.  I have to say though that I have never had to rip out more stitching than I have on this piece!  Don't ask me why.  It isn't like it is extremely difficult or anything.  The stitching is nearly perfect.  BUT....the colors??  That's a different story.  When I selected the colors, everything went so well together.  But now that it is stitched, I think the yellow may be too light.  Or the orange/green may be too dark.  What do you think?

 I decided not to worry about the colors yet.  I am going to just continue on with the details...the cutting, wrapping etc.  And when it is done, if I have to do something to darken it up in the middle, I'll decide then.  I am thinking that once the details are done, it might automatically darken up the middle some.

Stars For A New Millenium - finished!!

 When I finished off the last thread of the last stitch, I sighed and said, "Boy, was THAT fun!"  Susan..once again, thank you so much!  You were right...of course I had enough thread.  Sometimes, more than enough!

At first, I figured it would take me about 6 weeks to finish.  Then, I thought more.  In the end, it was less than a month.  I never got bored and I didn't want it to end.  I think I could start it all over again using different colors and not be tired of it.

So now that this is done, I am going back to Hardanger.  I got hundreds of dollars of new thread and they are crying out to be used!  After getting back into the swing of Hardanger (by making a .... doily!!) I will start a table runner.

Stars for a New Millenium - sashing done!

The sashing is now done!  Doesn't it look great?  So...now the border and it looks like it is going to be pretty impressive.

Susan....do you see it or notice it alot????

Stars for a New Millenium - progress

The blocks are finished and I have already started the sashing (not pictured).  Which is your favorite block?

Canvas - Stars For A New Millenium - work in progress

My sister Susan got me this canvas kit.  She knows I love canvas work but rarely do it.  Doing canvas work is difficult as there are so many different threads needed and I just don't have access to decent materials over here. Susan got this at an auction or yard sale or something (Sue..please tell me again about how you got this!).  It had belonged to a woman who had passed away.  Her kids didn't want any of her sewing stuff.  This woman had selected her own colors and purchased everything in 2004.  She had never started it though.  And now, I am honoring this unknown woman by working this piece.

I adore canvas work at this level.  It's complicated, detailed and absolutely fun to do.  The color selection the woman made was exactly my taste (obviously...look at all the purple!)

Until you see this piece up close, you just can't imagine how detailed these little patches are on each of the blocks.  Each block is completely different and rarely, if ever, are any two sections alike...and I mean on the whole piece, not just in one block.  I'm stitching like crazy these days because I am so totally into it!  Susan, thank you again....very much!

Happy Easter!

Walk Around (The Neighborhood)

It's open!! Finally we can walk through the little gardens!

So many things are blooming

I think this bird feeder is out year-round

Already, lots of work has been done

The tulips are beautiful!

The winter covers are all removed now

Blossoms everywhere

All ready for vegetable gardens

Not sure what this is but I think something for bees.  There were
alot of them flying around this.  Does anyone know?

The colors are so bright!

Everything is ready here!