Friday, September 18, 2009

ladies I love and some who annoy me, and some changes

I guess I shall start with the obvious. My repeat visitors (if any there are) will notice that I changed the name of the blog. This I did because I belatedly thought of a name a liked better, but was too lazy to set up another blog. Also, A Twisted Stitcher was too close to the name of Vonna's blog, The Twisted Stitcher (not that Vonna seemed to mind too much, she was very gracious about the whole thing, but I was rather annoyed with myself for my unintentional lack of originality). OK, The Pumpkin Patch Stitcher is not terribly original either, but it suits me better because:

1. I grow pumpkins

2. I stitch pumpkins

3. I decorate with pumpkins

4. I cook with pumpkins; and therefore

5. I occassionally look like a pumpkin (but I am not putting a picture of that on the interwebs).
That being said, if anyone out there in blogland knows of another Pumpkin Patch Stitcher, please don't tell me.
On to the ladies. The first is my newest finish, The Sampler Lady from Little House. She was part of my recent and very self-indulgent stash haul (please forgive the pics. I am camera-challenged today).

I switched out some of the colors for the GAST threads I had on hand--I'm trying very hard to stick to the stash diet by avoiding the LNS at all costs (there are a ton of new Halloween-type charts out which would be just too hard to resist). I didn't do the border because it seemed a little boring but I thought about putting a row of spools (not boring) along the top to balance it out a little. What do you think?

I actually finished another WIP last night right after The Sampler Lady
instead of immediately starting something new--Trix or Treat from Blackbird Designs (it's actually a few stitches away from completion in this photo, but I was in a rush this morning--still haven't figured out why I have less time for stitching, and everything else for that matter, now that the kids are back in school, than I had when they were home in the summer). True, it was almost finished, but still--I don't often have two finishes in one day.

Unfortunately I now have to do something with a lady I'm not too crazy about.


I started Jasmine over the summer, and as I mentioned in a previous post it was intended for a friend's daughter's birthday. Well, said birthday is Sept. 27 and although I have only about a week to get it finished and framed, I just can't get into it. I suppose I'll force myself, otherwise it'll be sitting around for another year.

And here is the final lady who's giving me fits, Mary w.

I still love this project but the vastness of it is overwhelming sometimes. This is why I so admire those of you who tackle HAEDs or the like that take years to complete. Anyway, I did decide on a recipient for it, which will hope will keep me on track. I plan to change "Ackworth School" to the name of my kids' school and gift it to said school when they graduate. We will have been at the school for about 13 years by the time my youngest graduates from 8th grade, and they love the school (originally a Quaker school when it was founded many years ago) so I figured it might be a good "thank you". Or, I'll finish it and stuff it in a drawer to be company for my numerous other finishes.

Speaking of finishes, and since I am very wordy today, I thought I would show a few of my finished finishes. Sometimes these things sit around for years before I decide what to do with them, but this week I completed some older pieces...

I found these small unfinished wood trays at Michaels, painted or stained them and fitted a few smalls inside. These are now in my kitchen. Finally, I stuffed Ida Mae Crow (the Goode Huswife) which I stitched at the beginning of the year into the top of my floss storage box.

For those who have managed to stay awake this long, happy stitching! Thanks in advance for comments, I do appreciate them.

20 comments:

Anne Sans Tete said...

beautiful work!

Emily in NC said...

Very nice, and my do you like pumpkins. Looking forward to Jasmine being completed, she is so pretty.

Deigh said...

Love all your WIPs and finishes!

EvalinaMaria said...

Lovely finishes, congratulation.

Mel said...

All looking lovely. Hang in there on MW she'll be great when she's done!

Vicki in CO said...

Great finishes! I like your style!

Nessa G. said...

Sweet Ida Mae, I love her so! Everything is beautiful.

Gabi said...

What a cute new name. Love it. Suits very well indeed.
Love your stitching. Especially the little Blackbird Design. Sampler Lady is fantastic of course too. Your finished pieces are looking SO lovely. That box is SO beautiful.

Carissa said...

What a lot of finishes! I think the idea of using spools for the border of Sampler Lady is great and so is the idea to use the wood trays for displaying finished pieces. I'll have to remember that.

I plan to do Mary W also someday, Jasmine is beautiful (love the fabby), and liking the new name!

BronnyB said...

Some lovely finishes. Keep on plugging away at your "Ladies" and soon they will be added to the finished pile. I like your idea of what to do with Mary and donating her to the school - she'll become an heirloom and may inspire future generations to pick up the needle too!

Nancy M said...

Your work looks lovely. Please don't finish Mary and leave it in a drawer. The school would be a perfect recipient! You've got some other great projects on the go too!

Meari said...

I noticed your new name right away! If it suits you, then I say go with it. :)

Your WIPs look good. What a great idea to give Mary W to the school.

Your finishes look really nice.

Linda said...

I like your new name...seems perfect for you and your new header gooks great.

Love, love all your finishes. The trays look great and sweet Ida Mae is perfect for your sewing box. Sampler Lady is a sweet finish...I have her in my stash and ready to go....after seeing yours makes me want to get busy on mine...hugs, Linda

Margaret said...

Glad you stopped lurking, Marjorie! Nice blog! Your finishes are wonderful!

staci said...

Everything looks fabulous!!! Happy stitching!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

What wonderful stitching. I love the Trix or Treat from BBD - I must stitch that. I like the idea of the spools at the top of the LHN piece and I really love the idea of you giving Mary W to the school but MAN, I don't think I could do that if I were to finish something so big. You have a generous heart!

jaz@octoberfarm said...

oh hi....thanks for stopping by my blog!! if you like pumpkins you sure will like visiting because i think i am a bit pumpkin crazy!!!! there will be so much more before halloween. i am heading to salem this weekend and will be posting all of my trip. i love your work!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

We have much in common Marjorie :)
and I absolutely LOVE your new blog background and I LOVE that photo header :)
I truly didn't care if you were "A" twisted stitcher, because I was "The" twisted stitcher ;)
I love pumpkins too and I look like one too! LOL! Maybe I should change my blog name?! No, I won't....
All your stitching is fabulous...just everything is fabulous here....LOVE IT!

Carolyn NC said...

Beautiful work - and I love the new name!

Unknown said...

Wow, that's a great number of finishes. The pattern in the very last photo, of the pumpkin with the alphabet, would you tell me the name of the pattern or designer please? I'm in love. :-)

Thanks,
c.indc at yahoo.com