The Needlepoint Book

Like many stitchers this week, I just received my brand new The Needlepoint Book, by Jo Ippolito Christensen, the new edition.  I know, I swore I wouldn't buy the hardback version, but I caved.  I just couldn't stand it.  Had to have it!

This morning I looked it over and it is terrific.  I would still prefer a spiral bound copy, but this is definitely still "the bible".  The new information is great and so is the old info which I've forgotten and now I'm reading the whole thing.  We should all do this once in awhile!  

It's kind of like the manual for that new appliance or new car:  After you've used the product for a little while, go back and read the manual and find out all the stuff you missed!

Kudos, Jo, a fabulous job!

5-4-3-2-1, Progress 4

I have worked on this piece once in awhile and finally have made enough progress to tell the difference!  It is tedious to stitch, but when I'm in the mood I enjoy it.  It is a challenge, that's for sure!
All those little squares are only 5x5 and the color changes every few stitches.  I look forward to those squares that are all one color!

American Beauty Rose, Progress 4

I've been working on my White American Beauty Rose and I am on the home stretch!  I could finish it this week, depending....  I don't seem to get as much stitching time as I used to.  
I really like this piece and I think it is finally looking like a rose!

Purrfect Spring, April

The clue for the April Stitching Games was 3.  Well, that's easy since the birdhouses have triangles for roofs.  So I stitched the birdhouses.  I will have to white out the part of the string that makes it look like the birdhouses don't know if they are inside or outside!  I think they are outside. 

Now I'm down to larger areas though, so I hope for clues I can work with!  The rest of the year each month will take longer to stitch!

April already?!

How can it be April already?  I wasn't done with March!

I finally finished my secret project, but can't show it to you yet. 

So I have begun stitching on other things again.  One is a small Bargello project I will offer on my website soon.  It is a Small Diamond and is suitable for a beginner.  It will work up nicely as an ornament or pin cushion.  It's only about 3" on a side.  You can't tell in the photo, but the red and the turquoise are FyreWerks and are very sparkly.