Pin Poinsettia Beaded - Updated 6/27/25

June 27, 2025--Done!  I was obsessed with working on this pin and got it done in no time.  Loved learning how this design was "built up" and shaped.   

I had some bar pins on hand (cannot remember why I purchased them and am surprised I was able to find them so easily), so stitched one to the back and it's now ready to wear as a pin.

Here's the result:

Pin Poinsettia Beaded Completed

Pin Poinsettia Beaded Side View

Pin Poinsettia Beaded Back View

Bar Pins for Poinsettia Pin

 Please see the post below for more information about this project. 

June 25, 2025--Yesterday I worked on the beaded poinsettia pin class taught by Kay Ackerman at the EGA MAR 2025 Seminar in Gettysburg, PA and got through Page 14.  Whew.  I've done some flat peyote beaded bracelets but never learned how to make 3D items, so this class was perfect.  Below is my progress to date as well as a project photo showing what the poinsettia should look like when I get it done (fingers crossed this will happen).

Pin Poinsettia Beaded Through Page 14

Pin Poinsettia Project Photo Size View

EGA MAR Seminar 2025 - 6/23/25

June 23, 2025--I just returned home from a 6-day Embroiderers Guild of America (EGA) Mid-Atlantic Region (MAR) seminar at the Aspire Hotel in Gettysburg, PA.  This is the first time I've attended an EGA event like this and boy, was I impressed with the caliber of teachers, subject matters taught, efficiency of administrative functions, etc.   Even the hotel, as old as it is, was clean with very comfortable beds, large rooms with refrigerators and microwaves, plumbing that worked extremely well, etc.  And...it was only a 3 hour drive from home.  No schlepping suitcases and stitching stuff to and from the airport, satellite parking, long TSA lines, etc.  Also, it was a small event with about 150 attendees--plenty of opportunity to make new friends.

No complaints whatsoever!  Click here for more information about the seminar.

Below are project photos of the classes I took over a five-day period:

Pin Poinsettia Beaded by Kay Ackerman MAR Seminar 2025 Project Photo

Pulled Thread Few of My Favorite Things by Jane Ellen Balzuweit MAR Seminar 2025 Project Photo

Santa Gnome by Kurdy Biggs MAR Seminar 2025 Project Photo

Almost forgot...I won an "Opportunity Basket" which was overflowing with stitching kits and paraphernalia.  There was also a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle which I'll start working on this week.

Ornament Holiday Bell Red - Updated 6/15/25

June 15, 2025--Here's another Holiday Ornament stitched up and I have only one more to do before the Holiday Ornament Collection is done.  

Here's the red bell along with a side view to show the dimension of the beads and threads:

Ornament Holiday Bell Red Completed

Ornament Holiday Bell Red Side View

See the post(s) below for more information about this project.

June 4, 2025--While waiting for some thread to arrive in the mail for another project, I started working on this red bell, an ornament designed by Susan Portra as part of her Holiday collection.  So far, the "mundane' portion of the bell is done, and the fun stitches are next.  By mundane, I mean that every one of these Holiday Bells start off the same way--tent stitched outline, shiny cap, inside of bell and padded lip of bell.  The fancy stitches and any beads for embellishment are done last.  

Here's the red bell with its mundane work done:

Ornament Holiday Red Bell at 2025-06-04

Laundry Schedule - Updated 6/15/25

June 15, 2025--Done!  In the last post (see below) I had concerns about not having enough green thread used in the 16 boxes around the main sign.  Well, I did have enough but with only one length left over.  Whew, that was close, especially since my thread was 14 years old and I feared there would be a very noticeable dye lot change.

I don't plan on stitching another painted canvas anytime soon--unless it's stitch painted.  I have a hard time figuring out where to place stitches, constantly ripping out through trial and error.

Once framed, this will be a fun addition to my laundry room.

Laundry Schedule Completed

Please see the posting(s) below for more information about this canvas.

June 11, 2025--Everything is stitched except for the green background in the little boxes.  I fear that I might run out of the beautiful Gloriana green thread used for the background, so I stitched up one of the 16 boxes to see how much thread it used, and I calculated I will have just enough--barely.  It's going to be tight and there's no room for error.  Just in case I do run out, I posted a notice in the "Help, I Need Thread!" Facebook page asking if anyone might have it.   This thread is 14 years old and I'm sure dye lots have changed over the years.

Here's my progress to date:

Laundry Schedule at 2025-06-11

June 3, 2025--I ran out of the bright fuchsia thread that was purchased in 2014 for the borders, so had to order more.  As I feared, there was a very distinctive dye lot change (at least to me) between 2014 and today, but I decided it wasn't jarring enough to rip out what was done before.  What do you think?  Can you see where the difference is?

I like the dimension of the thick thread for the borders and the twisted, couched down memory thread separating the segments around the main sign.

BTW, the more I look at some of the items in the boxed segments, I believe the 6th one is a pile of folded laundry, not a box of powdered detergent.  Also, the one I labeled as a hanging hamper may be a folded dress shirt.   

Here's what everything looks like so far:

Laundry Schedule at 2025-05-02

Laundry Schedule at 2025-05-02 Side View

May 29, 2925--The main portion of the sign is stitched.  The letters look haphazard, but that's how I saw them painted on the canvas.  I chose to use a diagonal Gobelin Stitch for the background--much easier to compensate than the Byzantine Stitch recommended in my guide.  It also reminds me of shiplap or bead board.

Next up are the items surrounding the main sign, most of which will be done in tent stitch.  From what I can tell, they are (clockwise from upper left):

• Sock
• Coins and coin slot (as in a laundromat)
• laundry basket filled with clothes
• Self-Serve sign
• Bottle of liquid detergent (Tide?)
• Box of powdered detergent Stack of folded laundry
• laundry basket/hamper (empty)
• Ironing board
• Stained T-shirt
• Sprayer bottle
• Clothespin
• Iron
• Hanger
• Bottle of fabric softener
• Hanging hamper (really not sure about this one) Folded dress shirt
• Wash board

Please let me know if you see something different.  Thanks.

Laundry Schedule at 2025-05-29

May 25, 2021--Look what I pulled out of my projects bin/basket.   It's a painted canvas by Shivering Sheep Designs called Laundry Schedule.  I purchased this canvas at a deep discount while at the 2012 ANG Seminar in Philadelphia, PA.  Then put it away, not having a clue what to do with it.  

Then in August of 2014, Fireside Stitchery had a 15% sale on threads along with free stitch guides (when you purchase threads).  I took advantage of that offering and was given a delightful set of instructions for stitches to use.  Of course, it's called a stitch "guide", so I can change/embellish, etc. the stitches as I like.  This should be fun.

Laundry Schedule by Shivering Sheep Design Project Photo