Xanadu by Jim Wurth

 Hello again!  Happy New Year, almost!  We are still in Reno, but I have a little time today so wanted to begin catching up.

The ANG Chapter in Las Vegas is doing Jim Wurth's Xanadu as a group project and I have just started it.  This pattern appeared in NeedlePointers, July 2009 issue.

I chose my colors starting with Frosty Rays Y357 and #8 & #12 Kreinik Braid #4005.  I added Neon Rays N92, Neon Rays Plus NP92, FyreWerks FT33 and #12 & #8 DMC Perle Cotton #3033.  I should have had Petite Frosty Rays, but the color I wanted didn't come in Petite.  The Petite would have been easier to use on the 18-count canvas (Eggshell), but I like the way it looks as is.  DH said he'd never seen me work so hard to pull a thread through the canvas!

I have a good start and it is looking really pretty.  This pattern is fun to stitch & goes fairly quickly.  It is not too big, finished size is about 5" square.  I think it will make a really pretty box top.  It is waaaaay sparkly in person!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas to all my loyal followers and to you Blog Surfers out there who happen by!

Sorry I haven't posted anything lately!  We are in Reno for the holidays and I started out the "vacation" by being sick.  Now I am feeling better, but DH has the bug.  Some vacation!  The critters are fine & happy though, cats are beginning to tease dog and play chase.

We are making a quick trip to San Francisco tomorrow to see the Impressionist exhibit at the deYoung Museum.  That should be fun - we haven't been to SF in years.

I haven't done nearly as much stitching as I thought I would.  I had planned on this being kind of a Stitching Vacation, but it sure hasn't turned out that way!  I'll try to get a picture or 2 to show you next week.  But some of what I'm working on is "secret" and I can't show you.

I hope you are all having a wonderful stitchy Holiday!

Stitch of the Month 2010 FINISHED

Hurray!  2010's SOTM is finished!  I put the last bead on this week.  I didn't do all the beads because way back when I had erroneously put metallic where the beads were supposed to go, and I like it that way.

The beads I used are Mill HIll Magnifica Glass Beads, copper #10075 and 2 dye lots of #10089 - one of them is very silver and the other is more of a light gold.  These colors all worked perfectly with the Ombre I had used.

My finished size turned out to be 8-1/4" x 8-1/2".  I don't know yet what I'm going to do with this, but if I want it to be Square, I'll have to add some to 2 sides.

Anyway it is all done & I"m so happy!

Twister, Progress #3

I did not work on Twister for 2 weeks, but yesterday I completed 4 sections.  The "twist" in this quadrant is now more apparent.  I won't be able to work on this again until sometime in January due to travel & holiday festivities!  It is too big to pack!

Chilly Hollow Rebuilds

As I was unable to open the Chilly Hollow blog this morning, I emailed Jane.  It turns out that she was hacked & her blog was deleted!  Fortunately she had backups (I didn't know you could do that but will be looking into it).  She cannot use her old blog address.  The new one is:  http://chillyhollowneedlepoint.blogspot.com   It will take her a few days to get everything back to normal.  OMG, what a tragedy!  Good luck to Jane restoring her info.

Seasons, Progress #5

I finally finished another square of Seasons.  The 4 corners are supposed to be all the same.  I'm not sure I like the one I did.  I think it is too brown.  So, the next corner square I do will have a few color changes & I'll see which one I like the best!  Or, maybe all 4 corners will NOT be the same!!

My posts for the rest of this month will be sporadic at best.  With the holidays and some travelling, it will be difficult.  But please stick with me, I'll get something up now & then!

Stitch of the Month 2010, Colors

I have had several requests for the colors I'm using on the 2010 ANG Stitch of the Month by Sue Reed.
Here you go:

Canvas:  18-count Eggshell

Threads:
Family A
Waterlilies #130 & Splendor #S945
Splendor #S1147 & Kreinik Ombre #1200
KreinikOmbre #1200
Family B
Splendor #S945
Waterlilies #130 & Splendor #S1147
Silk Lame #SL33 & #4 Kreinik Braid #013
Kreinik Ombre #1200
Family C
Splendor #S961
Splendor #S961 & Kreinik Ombre #1200
Kreinik #8 Braid #101

Stitch of the Month 2010, November

Whew!  I just finished November's part of the ANG SOTM in the nick of time.  December's work is ready to begin, but I have to get some beads!  I had forgotten there were beads.  I'll get my stash out & see what I have!  November's lesson filled in the border diamonds with Satin Stitch & then filled in around the diamonds with more couching.  Lots & lots of couching!!  It seemed to take forever.  This is a very pretty, delicate design & I'm pleased with the way my color choices have turned out.

Mediterranean Tile, Progress #8

Mediterranean Tile is coming right along!  The "overlay" crescents & Jessicas are all done.  They "surround" the tan petals with metallic.  I still need to backstitch around the tan petals and I think I will use the lightest aqua Kreinik for that.  Next is several more rows of braid around the outside, and then there are a bunch of beads to put in.  I haven't chosen my beads yet, so will have to do that soon!  Jan of Thread Medley has a post of her progress too, so be sure to compare!  Jan is doing the overlay as an overlay so you won't see the whole thing yet.